Author: Andrew George
Practice area: public order offences
Andrew is a founding Director of Doogue + George, ranked by Doyle's Guide as a Leading Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026) and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 1995 with over 30 years of experience across all Victorian courts, tribunals and Royal Commissions. His depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Andrew authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.
What is the offence of Interfere with Corpse of a Human Being?
Interfere with Corpse of a Human Being is an indictable offence under section 34B of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). It criminalises certain forms of improper conduct involving the body of a deceased person.
Key points
- Elements: Interference, an indecent act, or removal of body parts involving a human corpse.
- Nature of conduct: Intentional acts involving the body of a deceased person.
- Jurisdiction: Magistrates’ Court or County Court.
Maximum penalty: Level 6 imprisonment (5 years).
Defences noted: Lack of interference, lack of intent, or conduct carried out for medical or scientific purposes.
Have you been accused of Interfere with Corpse of a Human Being?
Police Interview
The Police interview is conducted by officers who are trained in eliciting admissions from accused persons. The Police will ask you questions in a way that may seem like they are just trying to work out what really happened. The truth is that they already have a narrative they believe from the evidence they have uncovered. They are hoping your answers will confirm this narrative and strengthen the case against you. It is important that you seek legal advice from our lawyers before going into a police interview. We can tell your side of the story later, the Police interview is not the time for that.
Pleading Not Guilty
Our firm has accredited criminal law specialists and in-house counsel who have secured not guilty verdicts time after time. The Prosecution must prove their case against you, you are innocent until proven guilty. They must prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. It is our job to convince a jury that there are gaps in the Prosecution case and that they should have doubts. Our in-house counsel do this by testing the evidence from witnesses with careful cross examination and engaging our own experts to give alternative explanations. We can help prepare you to give evidence with our mock court room.
Pleading Guilty
A well conducted plea can make a vast difference to the final sentence. Our lawyers will inform the Court about your circumstances and your personal history. We can help you obtain psychological reports that can help explain your offending. We can assist you to receive counselling that will assist you at sentencing but also begin your rehabilitation. It is important that you engage experts in Criminal Law to put your life and circumstances to the Court in such a way as to be persuasive and show that just because you have done something bad, does not mean you are a bad person. We can help you get the fairest possible sentence.
Examples of Interfere with Corpse of a Human Being
- A man breaks into a Mortuary and has sex with the corpse of a woman.
- A woman digs up the grave of her husband and removes his body parts to bury in her backyard.
Defences
- You did not interfere with a corpse.
- You did not intentionally interfere with a corpse.
- The interference was for the purposes of a medical or scientific procedure.
There are other possible defences, depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged offending. Each matter is unique and requires an individual approach and strategy.
Questions in cases like this
- Did you interfere with a corpse?
- Can they prove you interfered with a corpse?
Maximum penalty and court that deals with this charge
The maximum penalty for Interfere with Corpse of a Human Being (s34B of the Crimes Act 1958) is level 6 imprisonment (5 years).
This charge may be heard in the Magistrates’ Court or the County Court.
What can you be sentenced to for this charge?
This is a rare offence that is not often charged. However if you are found guilty you may receive a prison sentence.
Legislation
The section that covers this offence is section 34B of the Crimes Act 1958
What is the legal definition of Interfere with Corpse of a Human Being?
The Prosecution must show that the accused interfered with or committed an indecent act with the corpse of a human being, or the accused removed body parts from the corpse of a human being.
Did you do something to a corpse?
