4513.0 - Criminal Courts, Australia, 2013-14 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 05/03/2015   
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CRIMINAL COURTS, 2013–14 - TASMANIA

TOTAL FINALISED DEFENDANTS

In 2013–14, the number of finalised defendants in Tasmania was 12,835. Of these:

  • 9,746 (76%) were male;
  • 3,052 (24%) were female; and
  • 34 (less than 1%) were organisations. (Table 31)
Between 2012–13 and 2013–14, the number of finalised defendants decreased by 14% (2,074 defendants):
  • male defendants decreased by 14% (1,588 defendants); and
  • female defendants decreased by 14% (488 defendants). (Table 31)
PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

In 2013-14, the three most common principal offences for all finalised defendants were:
  • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (5,262 defendants or 41%);
  • Acts intended to cause injury (1,785 defendants or 14%); and
  • Offences against justice procedures, government security and government operations (1,049 defendants or 8%). (Table 31)
The greatest decreases in the number of finalised defendants between 2012-13 and 2013-14 occurred in the following principal offences:
  • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (784 defendants or 13%);
  • Acts intended to cause injury (291 defendants or 14%); and
  • Offences against justice procedures, government security and government operations (189 defendants or 15%). (Table 31)
METHOD OF FINALISATION

Of the 12,835 defendants finalised in 2013–14:
  • 10,729 (84%) were proven guilty;
  • 1,508 (12%) were acquitted; and
  • 325 (3%) were transferred to other court levels. (Table 31)
PRINCIPAL SENTENCE

Of the 10,729 defendants proven guilty in 2013-14:
  • 1,907 (18%) were sentenced to a custodial order; and
  • 8,819 (82%) were sentenced to a non-custodial order. (Table 31)
The median sentence length or fine amount for those who received a principal sentence (excluding those finalised in the Higher Courts) of:
  • custody in a correctional institution was 3 months;
  • a community service order was 56 hours; and
  • a fine was $300. (Tables 44, 45 and 46)
For defendants sentenced to custody in a correctional institution excluding life and indeterminate imprisonment and defendants finalised in the Higher Courts (625 defendants), the most common principal offences were:
  • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (162 defendants or 26%);
  • Acts intended to cause injury (131 defendants or 21%); and
  • Theft and related offences (79 defendants or 13%). (Table 44)
OTHER KEY POINTS

In 2013-14, Tasmania had:
  • the largest decrease in the number of finalised defendants (down 2,074 defendants or 14%); (Table 31)
  • the highest proportion of defendants acquitted (12% or 1,508 defendants); and (Table 2)
  • the second highest proportion of defendants with a principal offence of Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (41% or 5,262 defendants), while the Australian Capital Territory had the highest (45% or 2,691 defendants). (Table 2)