In 2024–25, the most common sentencing outcomes in the Magistrates' Court were:
- fines (52.9% of cases)
- adjourned undertakings (19.4% of cases) and
- discharge and dismissal (7.8% of cases).
A criminal justice diversion plan was granted in 7.0% of cases. Criminal justice diversion plans are not a sentence, but they are an important outcome available in the Magistrates' Court.
Cases receiving imprisonment increased from 4.9% in 2004–05 to 12.8% in 2019–20. The rate then fell steadily to 6.0% in 2024–25. This is the lowest rate since 2014–15.
Cases receiving a fine have decreased after peaking at 60.6% in 2007–08.
Cases receiving an adjourned undertaking have increased, from a low of 9.4% in 2006–07 to a high of 19.4% in 2024–25.
In 2024–25, there were just 5 suspended sentences in the Magistrates’ Court, down from a high of 7,659 cases in 2009–10. Wholly and partially suspended sentences are only available in the Magistrates’ Court for offences committed before 1 September 2014.
Cases receiving a community correction order (or a community-based order before January 2012) decreased to 6.4% in 2024–25, after reaching a high of 10.5% in both 2015–16 and 2016–17.
Sentencing outcomes in the Magistrates’ Court
Hover over the lines in the graph to display the sentencing outcome, year and percentage of all cases.
Source: Court Services Victoria, unpublished data.
Note: The data may be subject to revision to reflect amendments to records in Court Services Victoria’s databases.
