4513.0 - Criminal Courts, Australia, 2012-13 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/03/2014   
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CRIMINAL COURTS, 2012–13 - NEW SOUTH WALES

Total finalised defendants

In 2012–13, the number of finalised defendants in New South Wales was 136,579. (Table 12)

Between 2011–12 and 2012–13, the number of finalised defendants decreased by 6% (7,941 defendants):

  • male defendants decreased by 5% (5,891 defendants); and
  • female defendants decreased by 4% (1,210 defendants). (Table 13)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants

In 2012–13, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants made up 14% of all finalised defendants. (Table 12)

Principal offence

In 2012–13, the three most common principal offences were:
  • traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (38% or 52,425 defendants);
  • acts intended to cause injury (19% or 26,407 defendants); and
  • illicit drug offences (9% or 11,934 defendants). (Table 12)

Method of finalisation

Of the 136,579 defendants finalised in 2012–13:
  • 116,671 (85%) were proven guilty;
  • 8,500 (6%) had their charges withdrawn by the prosecution; and
  • 6,940 (5%) were acquitted. (Table 12)

Principal sentence

Of defendants found guilty in 2012–13, the median sentence length or fine amount for those who received a principal sentence of:
  • custody in a correctional institution was 12 months;
  • a community service order was 102 hours; and
  • a fine was $400. (Tables 53, 54 and 55)

Other key points

In 2012–13, New South Wales had:
  • the second highest proportion of defendants with a principal offence of acts intended to cause injury (19% or 26,407 defendants) behind the Northern Territory (24% or 3,346 defendants);
  • the lowest proportion of female defendants (19% or 26,126 defendants); and
  • the highest proportion of community service orders of 120 hours and over (48% or 1,746 defendants).