Imprisonment (73.7% of cases) and community correction orders (CCOs) (14.1% of cases) were the most common sentencing outcomes in the higher courts (the County and Supreme Courts) in 2022–23.
In the 19 years to June 2023, the higher courts sentenced an increasing percentage of cases to imprisonment, from 39.6% of cases in 2004–05 to 73.7% of cases in 2022–23.
The trend for CCOs is more varied. The higher courts sentenced 20.9% of cases to a CCO in 2015–16. This was the highest percentage of cases sentenced to a CCO since the introduction of the order in 2012.
In 2022–23, wholly and partially suspended sentences made up just 1.7% of cases sentenced in the higher courts, down from 23.4% in 2011–12. Suspended sentences have been phased out in the higher courts for offences committed after 1 May 2011. However, suspended sentences may still be imposed for historical offences.
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Source: Court Services Victoria, unpublished data.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.
