1. Criminal Sanctions

2. Hierarchy of sanctions
Most serious
Imprisonment
Suspended sentence (limitation)
Drug Treatment Order
Community Correction Order
Fine, with or without recording a conviction
Release the offender, adjourning the hearing and imposing conditions, with or without recording a conviction
Discharge, dismiss or adjournment
Least serious

3. Discharge, dismiss or adjournment
A conviction is/ is not recorded and the person is free to go

4. Fines A fine imposes a monetary penalty on an offender.
An act sets a maximum fine or penalty.
Fines are expressed as a number of penalty units.

5. Drug treatment order 2 years
Court order issued by the Magistrates’ Court which provides treatment and supervision of offenders who’s crimes are linked to drug and alcohol abuse
(have to prove that substance abuse contributed to the commission of the crime)

6. Community Corrections Order (CCO)
A CCO is a flexible order served in the community. The order can also include up to three months in jail or a fine
Can be 2 years (Magistrates’) or full statutory sentence (higher courts)
Offenders sentenced to a CCO must abide by basic conditions, such as:
attending treatment programs
partaking in community service
abiding by a curfew
not reoffending
not leaving Victoria without permission

7. Suspended Sentences
Record a conviction and suspend a sentence of imprisonment.
Requires the offender to be of good behaviour and not reoffend during the period of the suspension.
If the offender fails to meet the conditions, the original sentence and an additional penalty may be imposed.
A sentence can either be wholly or partly suspended.
Cannot be used in some serious offences.

8. Imprisonment
Imprisonment removes an offender from the community and denies them their liberty.
This is considered to be the most severe sanction.
The Sentencing Act recognises that imprisonment should be used as a last resort.

9. Imprisonment Concurrent sentences
where the offender has committed more than one offence, the sentence for each offence can be served at the same time.
Cumulative sentences (serious offenders/offences)
each term of imprisonment is added together to form a total period of imprisonment.