The Magistrates’ Court sentences the vast majority of cases in Victoria’s courts – over 90% of all cases sentenced. From July 2004 to June 2018, the Magistrates’ Court sentenced an average of 84,417 cases each year. In comparison, the higher courts (the Supreme and County Courts) sentenced an average of 1,932 cases per year. The Children's Court sentenced an average of 5,513 cases per year.
The number of cases sentenced in the Magistrates' Court has increased by 7.0% in five years, from 90,811 in 2013–14 to 97,133 in 2017–18. The number peaked at 99,723 cases in 2015–16.
Note: The percentages in the graph include cases that received a criminal justice diversion plan. The criminal justice diversion plan is not a sentence, but it is included because it is an important disposition available in the Magistrates' Court.
Number of cases sentenced in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria from July 2004 to June 2018
Hover over the line in the graph to display the number of cases for each year.
| Year | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| 2004-05 | 72,945 |
| 2005-06 | 71,083 |
| 2006-07 | 71,656 |
| 2007-08 | 80,619 |
| 2008-09 | 82,452 |
| 2009-10 | 82,399 |
| 2010-11 | 77,126 |
| 2011-12 | 80,694 |
| 2012-13 | 84,423 |
| 2013-14 | 90,811 |
| 2014-15 | 94,477 |
| 2015-16 | 99,723 |
| 2016-17 | 96,293 |
| 2017-18 | 97,133 |
Source: Court Services Victoria, unpublished data.
