Media Releases
Embargo 11 March 2010 1.30 p.m.
The Sentencing Advisory Council has today agreed to undertake a major sentencing review that will involve recommending appropriate maximum penalties for about 250 of the most serious criminal offences in Victoria.
In accepting the review, requested by the Attorney-General, Professor Arie Freiberg, Chair of the Sentencing Advisory Council said, 'There has not been a comprehensive review of maximum penalties in Victoria since the late 1980s. In that review there were neither the time nor resources to involve the community in the discussion. This time around there will be, and the Council would like to hear from as many Victorians as possible about this important aspect of sentencing.
'Maximum penalties play a very important role in sentencing by giving courts a guide as to how seriously the community views particular offences. They also have a role to play in deterring crime by warning offenders about the highest penalty they could face if they commit a crime', said Professor Freiberg. 'The review of the Crimes Act provides an opportune time to develop a more contemporary and coherent statutory framework for sentencing.'
Over the coming year there will be several opportunities for people to have their say on these issues, including through community panels and online discussion forums.
Any Victorians interested in participating are asked to contact the Sentencing Advisory Council to express their interest in this review.
