KEY FINDINGS


NUMBER OF FEDERAL DEFENDANTS

In 2013-14, there were a total of 10,386 federal defendants finalised in Australia’s criminal courts. This represented:

• a slight decrease (0.7%) in defendants finalised since 2012-13 (69 defendants); and
• a 4% decrease in defendants finalised since 2010-11 (434 defendants). (Table 1)

NUMBER OF FEDERAL DEFENDANTS PROVEN GUILTY

In 2013-14, there were a total of 7,174 federal defendants proven guilty in Australia’s criminal courts. This represented:

• a slight increase (0.1%) in federal defendants proven guilty since 2012-13 (7 defendants); and
• a 7% decrease in federal defendants proven guilty since 2010-11 (536 defendants). (Table 1)

SENTENCE TYPE

Of the 7,174 federal defendants proven guilty in 2013-14:

• four out of five (82%) were sentenced to a non-custodial order (5,902 defendants); and
• one in ten (13%) were sentenced to custody in a correctional institution (920 defendants). (Table 10)

PRINCIPAL FEDERAL OFFENCE

The most common principal federal offence amongst federal defendants finalised during 2013-14 was Abduction, harassment and other offences against the person (26%). (Table 2)

Of the 2,656 federal defendants finalised for Abduction, harassment and other offences against the person:

• almost all had a principal federal offence of Harassment and threatening behaviour (2,652 defendants);
• four in five (84%) were male (2,220 defendants);
• three-quarters (73%) were adjudicated in the Criminal Courts (1,932 defendants); and
• one in four (26%) had their charges withdrawn by the prosecution (685 defendants). (Tables 2 and 4)

The median age of federal defendants finalised for Abduction, harassment and other offences against the person in 2013-14 was 34 years. (Table 3)

In 2013-14, the largest increase in the number of defendants finalised by principal federal offence occurred for Abduction, harassment and other offences against the person (up 15% or 344 defendants). (Table 2)

The largest decrease in the number of defendants finalised by principal federal offence occurred for Offences against justice procedures, government security and government operations (down 14% or 337 defendants). (Table 2)