MEDIA RELEASE
5 March 2015	Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	33/2015

The number of defendants finalised in Australia’s criminal courts for Illicit drug offences increased by 15 per cent nationally in 2013-14, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

"Today's Criminal Courts publication revealed that the number of defendants with a principal offence of Illicit drug offences was 50,854 in 2013-14," said William Milne from the ABS. "This was an increase of 6,442 defendants from the previous year.

"Possession and/or use of illicit drugs accounted for over half, 56 per cent, of those finalised for Illicit drug offences," said Mr Milne. "A further 17 per cent were finalised for Dealing or trafficking illicit drugs.

"One in five defendants finalised for Illicit drug offences was aged between 20 and 24 years."

After Illicit drug offences, the second largest increase was for Offences against justice procedures, government security and government operations, which rose by 10 per cent to 40,958 defendants in 2013-14. This was driven by increases in Breach of violence and non-violence restraining orders.

"Despite increases in Illicit drug offences, the most common principal offence was still Traffic and vehicle regulatory offences," said Mr Milne.

"Over one-third, 37 per cent, of defendants were finalised for this offence in 2013-14."

During 2013-14, a total of 579,152 defendants had their cases finalised by the courts. This was an increase of 17,592 defendants, or three per cent, from the previous year. This follows decreases in the previous four years.

Further information can be found in Criminal Courts, Australia, 2013-14 (cat. no. 4513.0)available for free download from the ABS website - https://www.abs.gov.au.

Media notes:

• Offences relate to the most serious charge faced by a defendant.
• A defendant finalised is a person or organisation for whom all charges for one case have been formally completed so that the defendant ceases to be an item of work.
• When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
• Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.