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 - NEW SOUTH WALES

TOTAL FINALISED DEFENDANTS

In 2013–14, the number of finalised defendants in New South Wales was 139,874. Of these:

  • 110,555 (79%) were male;
  • 27,132 (19%) were female; and
  • 1,880 (1%) were organisations. (Table 11)
Between 2012–13 and 2013–14, the number of finalised defendants increased by 2% (3,294 defendants):
  • male defendants increased by 2% (2,426 defendants); and
  • female defendants increased by 4% (1,007 defendants). (Table 11)
INDIGENOUS STATUS

In 2013-14, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants made up 15% (11,894) of all finalised defendants in New South Wales (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 (40% or 4,760 defendants). (Table 9)
    PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

    In 2013-14, the three most common principal offences for all finalised defendants were:
    • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (53,567 defendants or 38%);
    • Acts intended to cause injury (27,748 defendants or 20%); and
    • Illicit drug offences (12,849 defendants or 9%). (Table 11)
    The greatest increases in the number of finalised defendants between 2012-13 and 2013-14 occurred in the following principal offences:
    • Acts intended to cause injury (1,341 defendants or 5%);
    • Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (1,144 defendants or 2%); and
    • Illicit drug offences (914 defendants or 8%). (Table 11)
    In terms of percentage change, the greatest increase occurred for Prohibited and regulated weapons and explosives offences (13% or 164 defendants). (Table 11)

    METHOD OF FINALISATION

    Of the 139,874 defendants finalised in 2013–14:
    • 120,542 (86%) were proven guilty;
    • 8,332 (6%) had their charges withdrawn by the prosecution; and
    • 6,361 (5%) were acquitted. (Table 11)
    PRINCIPAL SENTENCE

    Of the 120,542 defendants proven guilty in 2013-14:
    • 16,617 (14%) were sentenced to a custodial order; and
    • 103,927 (86%) were sentenced to a non-custodial order. (Table 11)
    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 100 hours; and
    • a fine was $500. (Tables 44, 45 and 46)
    For defendants sentenced to custody in a correctional institution excluding life and indeterminate imprisonment (10,124 defendants), the most common principal offences were:
    • Acts intended to cause injury (2,729 defendants or 27%);
    • Theft and related offences (1,258 defendants or 12%); and
    • Unlawful entry with intent/burglary, break and enter (1,038 defendants or 10%). (Table 44)
    OTHER KEY POINTS

    In 2013-14, New South Wales had:
    • the lowest proportion of female defendants (19% or 27,132 defendants); (Table 2)
    • the second highest proportion of defendants acquitted (5% or 6,361 defendants), while Tasmania had the highest (12% or 1,508 defendants); and (Table 2)
    • the highest median length of custody in a correctional institution (12 months). (Table 44)