In 2022–23, the Magistrates’ Court sentenced 93,778 cases, up 17% from 80,340 cases in 2021–22.
From July 2004 to June 2023, the Magistrates’ Court sentenced an average of 83,522 cases each year. In comparison, the higher courts (the County and Supreme Courts) sentenced an average of 1,877 cases per year, and the Children's Court sentenced an average of 4,744 cases per year. Overall, the Magistrates’ Court sentences around 9 out of every 10 cases in Victoria.
The number of cases sentenced in the Magistrates' Court peaked at 99,723 in 2015–16. More recently, the COVID–19 pandemic caused delays in court proceedings from March 2020 onwards. These delays resulted in fewer cases being sentenced, reaching a low of 64,749 cases in the Magistrates’ Court in 2020–21.
Note: Cases that received a criminal justice diversion plan are included in the graph. The criminal justice diversion plan is not a sentence, but it is an important disposition available in the Magistrates' Court.
Number of cases sentenced in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Hover over the line in the graph to display the number of cases for each year.
| Year | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 93,778 |
| 2021–22 | 80,340 |
| 2020–21 | 64,749 |
| 2019–20 | 73,943 |
| 2018–19 | 91,649 |
| 2017–18 | 97,133 |
| 2016–17 | 96,923 |
| 2015–16 | 99,723 |
| 2014–15 | 94,477 |
| 2013–14 | 90,811 |
| 2012–13 | 84,423 |
| 2011–12 | 80,694 |
| 2010–11 | 77,126 |
| 2009–10 | 82,399 |
| 2008–09 | 82,452 |
| 2007–08 | 80,619 |
| 2006–07 | 71,656 |
| 2005–06 | 71,083 |
| 2004–05 | 72,945 |
Source: Court Services Victoria, unpublished data. Note that the data may be subject to revision to reflect amendments to records in Court Services Victoria’s databases.
