In 2020–21, the higher courts (the County and Supreme Courts) most frequently imposed sentences of imprisonment (74.1%) and community correction orders (11.8%).
In the 17 years to June 2021, the percentage of cases sentenced to imprisonment increased from 39.6% in 2004–05 to 74.1% in 2020–21.
The use of wholly suspended sentences and partially suspended sentences steadily declined, from 23.4% in 2011–12 to only 1.9% in 2020–21. This decline coincides with the phase-out of suspended sentences in the higher courts beginning in 2011.
The percentage of cases sentenced to a community correction order peaked at 20.9% in 2015–16, before declining to 11.8% in 2020–21.
Percentage of cases sentenced in the higher courts of Victoria, by sentencing outcome
Hover over the lines in the graph to display the sentencing outcome, year, number of cases and percentage of cases. Select and deselect sentencing outcomes using the key at the top of the graph. Double-click on the key to reset the graph.
Source: Court Services Victoria, unpublished data.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.
