4513.0 - Criminal Courts, Australia, 2013-14 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 05/03/2015   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

CRIMINAL COURTS, 2013–14 - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

TOTAL FINALISED DEFENDANTS

In 2013–14, the number of finalised defendants in South Australia was 47,350. Of these:

  • 37,188 (79%) were male;
  • 9,942 (21%) were female; and
  • 227 (less than 1%) were organisations. (Table 23)
Between 2012–13 and 2013–14, the number of finalised defendants increased by less than 1% (189 defendants):
  • male defendants increased by 1% (209 defendants); and
  • female defendants decreased by less than 1% (20 defendants). (Table 23)
INDIGENOUS STATUS

In 2013-14, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants made up 17% (4,915) of all finalised defendants in South Australia (excluding traffic offences and organisations). (Table 8)

The most common principal offence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants was Acts intended to cause injury (27% or 1,334 defendants). (Table 9)

PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

In 2013-14, the three most common principal offences for all finalised defendants were:
  • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (14,593 defendants or 31%);
  • Acts intended to cause injury (5,908 defendants or 13%); and
  • Dangerous or negligent acts endangering persons (4,050 defendants or 9%). (Table 23)
The greatest increases in the number of finalised defendants between 2012-13 and 2013-14 occurred in the following principal offences:
  • Miscellaneous offences (283 defendants or 46%) (also representing the greatest percentage increase);
  • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (225 defendants or 2%); and
  • Prohibited and regulated weapons and explosives offences (130 defendants or 7%). (Table 23)
METHOD OF FINALISATION

Of the 47,350 defendants finalised in 2013–14:
  • 35,657 (75%) were proven guilty;
  • 8,492 (18%) had their charges withdrawn by the prosecution; and
  • 2,598 (5%) were transferred to other court levels. (Table 23)
PRINCIPAL SENTENCE
    Of the 35,657 defendants proven guilty in 2013-14:
    • 4,824 (14%) were sentenced to a custodial order; and
    • 30,834 (87%) were sentenced to a non-custodial order. (Table 23)
    The median sentence length or fine amount for those who received a principal sentence of:
    • custody in a correctional institution was 6 months;
    • a community service order was 60 hours; and
    • a fine was $770. (Tables 44, 45 and 46)
    For defendants sentenced to custody in a correctional institution, excluding life and indeterminate imprisonment (1,797 defendants), the most common principal offences were:
    • Acts intended to cause injury (414 defendants or 23%);
    • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (220 defendants or 12%); and
    • Unlawful entry with intent/burglary, break and enter (206 defendants or 12%). (Table 44)
    OTHER KEY POINTS

    In 2013-14, South Australia had:
    • the highest median for fines ($770); (Table 46)
    • the highest proportion of defendants transferred to other court levels (6% or 2,598 defendants); and (Table 2)
    • the lowest proportion of defendants finalised for Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (31% or 14,593 defendants). (Table 2)