This paper provides an overview of the current approach taken to reduction of sentence for a guilty plea in Tasmania, and examines legislative approaches to sentencing discounts for pleas of guilty in other Australian jurisdictions and comparable international jurisdictions.

This issues and options paper forms part of the review of restitution and compensation orders in Victoria.

Key facts: In 2016–17, in the criminal jurisdiction of the supreme, district/county, magistrates’ and children’s courts, approximately 825,202 cases were lodged, and 864,923 cases were finalised. In the civil jurisdiction of these same courts approximately 436,333 cases were lodged and 440,523 cases finalised. In the Australian courts, approximately 121,961 cases were lodged, and 117,027 cases...

This chapter reports on prison custody and a range of community corrections orders and programs for adult offenders which are delivered separately by the eight states and territories.

This report recommends significant changes to Tasmania’s criminal justice system, including using communication experts (intermediaries) to assist victims, witnesses and defendants who have communication needs to communicate with police, lawyers and the courts.