Federal offence numbers

In 2012–13, there were a total of 41,893 federal offences finalised in All Courts. (Table 8)

Between 2011–12 and 2012–13, the number of federal offences increased by 9% (or 3,613 offences) while the number of federal defendants decreased by 4%. The ratio of offences to defendant increased from 3.5 offences per defendant in 2011–12 to 4.0 in 2012–13. (Table 9)

Federal offences were finalised across court levels as follows:

• 93% (or 38,905) in the Magistrates' Courts;
• 6% (or 2,547) in the Higher Courts; and
• 1% (or 441) in the Children's Courts. (Table 8)

Of the 41,893 offences finalised across all court levels, over three-quarters occurred in three broad offence types (as defined by ANZSOC Division):

• Offences against justice (46%)
• Fraud and deception (25%); and
• Abduction, harassment and other offences against the person (10%). (Table 8)

The federal offence varied depending on which court level the defendant was finalised in. The most common offence was:

• Fraud and deception in the Higher Courts (36%);
• Offences against justice in the Magistrates' Courts (48%); and
• Abduction, harassment and other offences against the person in the Children's Courts (50%). (Table 8)