Pre-sentence reports (PSRs) provide information to courts on an individual’s background, circumstances, risks, needs and plans. This study describes the language and sentiment in these reports. The authors studied PSRs written for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people sentenced by the mainstream County Court of...

The Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council is seeking submissions on the questions posed in this consultation paper. The Council intends to use submissions, and the results of consultations, to make recommendations about the use of sentence deferral in Victoria.

This briefing paper puts the proposed New South Wales 'no body, no parole' law reforms in context, reviews similar laws in Australia and other jurisdictions, and outlines the reasons for, and criticisms of, the reforms.

The criminal law was the main instrument employed by the Victorian government to force Victorians to comply with the strictest COVID-19 lockdown in the world. This report argues that the criminal law should never again be used as a blunt instrument of oppression to achieve...

This report is the first Australian inquiry into non-family violence stalking laws. It contains 45 recommendations to improve the ways that the justice system treats people who have experienced stalking in a non-family violence context.

This report reviews 20 years of data in the Council's 'Sentencing Snapshots' to identify changes in sentencing practices in the higher courts for a select number of offences.

The purpose of this consultation paper is to consider potential options for increasing and improving the use of adjourned undertakings in Victoria.

This report explores the approaches of Australian sentencing courts towards adverse media coverage and the significant consequences it can have for offenders. It reveals why and when media coverage might be a relevant sentencing consideration. The aim of the report is to draw attention to...

This advisory report considers the legal implications of raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Tasmania from its present statutory prescription of 10 years old (with a 14-year-old presumption of criminal incapacity).

This e-brief provides an overview of the current law regarding the age of criminal responsibility in New South Wales.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of how Victorian courts sentence stalking offences contrary to section 21A of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). It considers the demographics of stalkers, the relationship between stalking offenders and victims, the sorts of stalking behaviours sentenced in Victorian courts...

This report analyses data on personal safety intervention orders (PSIOs) in Victoria from 2011 to 2020. It aims to assist the Victorian Law Reform Commission with its inquiry on responses to stalking.

The Attorney-General's Department has released this discussion paper exploring the measures needed to support the implementation of a criminal offence of coercive control, should it be introduced in South Australia.

This paper provides a brief overview of the current law in NSW in relation to sexual consent, as well as some background to the proposed reforms.

This issues paper has been prepared to gather and present information about the serious violent offences scheme to assist stakeholders and community members to provide their views to the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council on the scheme and options for reform.

The ACT Legislative Assembly has committed to raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility. This report identifies opportunities for reform to achieve improved outcomes for children and their families. It also proposes an alternative response to meet the needs of children affected by the changing...

This report studies sentencing outcomes from 2010 to 2019 for offenders sentenced when aged 60 and over in Victoria. The report reviews the relevance of age to sentencing and investigates the prevalence of sentenced older offenders in the state.

This report on the Inquiry into the use of cannabis in Victoria is the result of extensive research and community consultation by the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee. This inquiry examined how Victorian cannabis policy can be improved.

This report presents the first empirical analysis of 'threat offences' recorded and sentenced in Victoria, along with an analysis of the offending trajectories of sentenced threat offenders.

This report analyses the potential charges both the Trump Organisation and Donald Trump himself may face. The report also goes in depth into the defenses that may be available in response to any indictment.

This consultation paper has been released to assist the VLRC to review and report on Victoria’s legal responses to stalking, harassment and similar conduct, including the statutory framework for and operation of the Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) system.

Public opinion about sentencing is notoriously difficult to assess. Building on the existing literature on public attitudes to the criminal justice system, this study aims to explore community views on this issue using a focus group methodology.

This report analyses the number of people sentenced in 2019–20 for committing a serious offence while serving a community correction order (CCO). Also available is a complete list of serious offences current between 16 January 2012 and 30 June 2020.

Torres Strait Islanders had a strong sense of themselves as composed of distinct peoples and cultures different from those of the mainland. This report examines the extent of crime occurring and how justice is practised in the Torres Strait Islands.

This strategy document identifies key issues and makes targeted recommendations across criminal, civil and family law – with the objective of ensuring Aboriginal people are not left behind.