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 - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Total finalised defendants

In 2012–13, the number of finalised defendants in South Australia was 47,161. (Table 27)

Between 2011–12 and 2012–13, the number of finalised defendants decreased by 3% (1,188 defendants):

  • male defendants decreased by 4% (1,445 defendants); and
  • female defendants increased by 3% (259 defendants). (Table 28)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants

In 2012–13, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants made up 17% of all finalised defendants. (Table 27)

Principal offence

In 2012–13, the three most common principal offences were:
  • traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (31% or 14,371 defendants);
  • acts intended to cause injury (13% or 6,158 defendants); and
  • public order offences (9% or 4,181 defendants). (Table 27)

Method of finalisation

Of the 47,161 defendants finalised in 2012–13:
  • 35,346 (75%) were proven guilty;
  • 8,576 (18%) had their charges withdrawn by the prosecution; and
  • 336 (1%) were acquitted. (Table 27)

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 7 months;
  • a community service order was 52 hours; and
  • a fine was $774. (Tables 53, 54 and 55)

Other key points

In 2012–13, South Australia had:
  • the lowest proportion of defendants with a principal offence of traffic offences (31% or 14,371 defendants);
  • the highest proportion of defendants with a principal offence of prohibited and regulated weapons and explosives offences (4% or 1,957 defendants); and
  • the highest median for fines ($774).