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SENTENCING ACT 1991

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

  • 1 Purposes  
  • 2 Commencement  
  • 3 Definitions  
  • 4 Application  

PART 2--GOVERNING PRINCIPLES

  • 5 Sentencing guidelines  
  • 5AA Court not to have regard to previous good character or lack of previous findings of guilt or convictions in certain circumstances  
  • 5A Standard sentence scheme  
  • 5B Sentencing for a standard sentence offence  
  • 6 Factors to be considered in determining offender's character  
  • 6AAA Sentence discount for guilty plea  

PART 2AA--GUIDELINE JUDGMENTS

  • 6AA Definition  
  • 6AB Power of Court of Appeal to give or review guideline judgments  
  • 6ABA Guideline judgments on application of Attorney‑General  
  • 6AC Content of guideline judgment  
  • 6AD Procedural requirements  
  • 6AE Matters to which Court of Appeal must have regard  
  • 6AF Use of evidence in giving or reviewing guideline judgment  
  • 6AG Relationship between guideline judgments and other sentencing matters  

PART 2A--SERIOUS OFFENDERS

  • 6A Application of Part  
  • 6B Definitions for purposes of this Part  
  • 6C Factors relevant to consideration of whether offender is a serious offender  
  • 6D Factors relevant to length of prison sentence  
  • 6E Sentences to be served cumulatively  
  • 6F Serious offender status to be noted on record  

PART 2B--CONTINUING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE OFFENDERS

  • 6G Application of Part  
  • 6H Definitions for purposes of this Part  
  • 6I Increased maximum penalty for CCE offences  
  • 6J CCE offender status to be noted on record  

PART 3--SENTENCES

Division 1--General

  • 7 Sentences  
  • 8 Conviction or non-conviction  

Division 1A--Pre-sentence reports

  • 8A Court may order pre-sentence report  
  • 8B Contents of pre-sentence report  
  • 8C Distribution of pre-sentence report  
  • 8D Disputed pre-sentence report  

Division 1B--Drug and alcohol reports

  • 8E Drug and alcohol assessment report  
  • 8F Distribution of drug and alcohol assessment report  
  • 8G Disputed drug and alcohol assessment report  
  • 8H Drug and alcohol pre-release report  
  • 8I Approved drug and alcohol assessment agencies  

Division 1C--Victim impact statements

  • 8J Definitions  
  • 8K Victim may make victim impact statement  
  • 8L Contents of victim impact statement  
  • 8M Medical report  
  • 8N Distribution of written statement  
  • 8O Examination of victim  
  • 8P Witnesses  
  • 8Q Reading aloud of victim impact statement  
  • 8R Alternative arrangements for reading aloud of victim impact statement  
  • 8S Alternative arrangements for examination  

Division 2--Custodial orders

PART 3A--SENTENCES--COMMUNITY CORRECTION ORDERS

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 36 Purpose of an order  

Division 2--General

Division 3--Making a community correction order

Division 4--Conditions

Division 5--Variation etc. of order

Division 6--Miscellaneous matters

  • 48P Secretary may direct offender to report at another place  
  • 48Q Order made by Court of Appeal  

PART 3B--SENTENCES--FINES

Division 1--Fines

  • 49 Power to fine  
  • 50 Maximum fine  
  • 51 Aggregate fines  
  • 52 Financial circumstances of offender  
  • 53 Court to take forfeiture, compensation and restitution orders into account  
  • 54 Other matters court may have regard to in fixing amount of fine  
  • 55 Liability of director if body corporate unable to pay fine  

Division 2--Instalment orders andtime to pay orders

Division 3--Fine conversion order

Division 4--Fine default by natural person--warrant to arrest

  • 69 Issue of warrant to arrest person in default  
  • 69A Warrant to arrest may be issued other than in paper form  
  • 69B Who may execute warrant?  
  • 69C When may warrant be executed?  

Division 5--Fine default by natural person--orders of court

Division 6--Calculation of period of imprisonment or unpaid community work

  • 69N Term of imprisonment  
  • 69O Term of unpaid community work  
  • 69P Determining amount of unpaid fine or instalment  
  • 69Q Period of unpaid community work to be performed  
  • 69R Cumulative unpaid community work if there are several orders  

Division 7--Terms and operation offines work orders

Division 8--Enforcement of fines against bodies corporate

  • 69Y Enforcement of fines against bodies corporate  

Division 9--General

  • 69Z Notice of orders to be given  
  • 69ZA Oath or affirmation  
  • 69ZB Application of fines etc.  
  • 69ZC Penalty payable to body corporate  
  • 69ZD Recovery of penalties  
  • 69ZE Order made by Court of Appeal  
  • 69ZF Rules of court  
  • 69ZG Application to infringement enforcement procedure  

PART 3BA--SENTENCES--OTHER ORDERS

Division 1--Dismissals, discharges and adjournments

  • 70 Purpose of orders under this Division  
  • 71 Abolition of common law bonds  
  • 71A Limitation on making of orders under this Division  
  • 72 Release on adjournment following conviction  
  • 73 Unconditional discharge  
  • 74 Compensation or restitution  
  • 75 Release on adjournment without conviction  
  • 76 Unconditional dismissal  
  • 77 Compensation or restitution  
  • 78 Variation of order for release on adjournment  

Division 2--Intellectually disabled offenders

Division 3--Deferral of sentencing in the Magistrates' Court or County Court

  • 83A Deferral of sentencing  

PART 3C--SENTENCES--CONTRAVENTION OF SENTENCE

Division 1--Offences

Division 2--Procedure for contravention offence

  • 83AG Commencement of a proceeding  
  • 83AH Time for commencing a proceeding  
  • 83AI Issue of summons or warrant to arrest  
  • 83AJ Transfer of a proceeding  
  • 83AK Issue of warrant to arrest on failure to comply with bail or summons  
  • 83AL Process where offender before higher court, orders of that court  
  • 83AM Process where offender before higher court, orders of Magistrates' Court  
  • 83AS Powers of the court on finding of guilt for contravention of community correction order  
  • 83ASA Powers of court on finding of guilt for contravention of fines work order  
  • 83AT Powers of the court on finding of guilt for contravention of order for release on adjournment  

Division 3--Direction of certain conditions on failure to comply

PART 3D--SUPERANNUATION ORDERS

  • 83B Purpose of Part  
  • 83C Application of Part  
  • 83D Definitions  
  • 83E Application for a superannuation order  
  • 83F Court may make a superannuation order  
  • 83G Effect of superannuation order  
  • 83H Provisions applying to a superannuation order  
  • 83I Powers of an authorised person to require information  
  • 83J Protection of administrators providing information  
  • 83K Disclosure of information  

PART 4--ORDERS IN ADDITION TO SENTENCE

Division 1--Restitution

  • 84 Restitution order  
  • 85 Enforcement of restitution order  

Division 2--Compensation

  • 85A Definitions  
  • 85B Compensation order  
  • 85C Application for compensation order  
  • 85D Extension of time for making application  
  • 85E Proceeding on an application  
  • 85F Court must not refuse to hear and determine application except in certain circumstances  
  • 85G Evidence  
  • 85H Court may take financial circumstances of offender into account  
  • 85I Court must reduce compensation by amount of any award under Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996  
  • 85J Court to give reasons for its decision  
  • 85K Costs of proceeding  
  • 85L Right to bring civil proceedings unaffected  
  • 85M Enforcement of order  
  • 86AA Court to ask if application for compensation order will be made  
  • 86 Compensation order  
  • 87 Enforcement of compensation order  

Division 2A--Recovery of assistance paid under Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996

Division 2B--Recovery of costs incurred by emergency service agencies

  • 87C Definitions  
  • 87D Cost recovery order  
  • 87E Application for cost recovery order  
  • 87F Extension of time for making application  
  • 87G How offender may appear on an application  
  • 87H Court may have regard to relevant facts  
  • 87I Evidence  
  • 87J Court may take financial circumstances of offender into account  
  • 87K Court to give reasons for its decision  
  • 87L Costs of proceeding  
  • 87M Right to bring civil proceedings unaffected  
  • 87N Enforcement of order  

Division 3--Driver licences and learner permits--suspension, cancellation and driver disqualification

Division 4--Alcohol exclusion orders

  • 89DC Definitions  
  • 89DD Alcohol exclusion order  
  • 89DE When an alcohol exclusion order must be made  
  • 89DF Offences for contravening alcohol exclusion order  
  • 89DG Variation of alcohol exclusion order  
  • 89DH Chief Commissioner to report on alcohol exclusion orders  

Division 5--Serious drug offender

  • 89DI Declaration by court that person is serious drug offender  

PART 4A--IDENTITY CRIME CERTIFICATES

  • 89E Definitions  
  • 89F Court may issue certificate to victim of identity crime  
  • 89G Contents of certificate  
  • 89H Process for dealing with application  

PART 5--MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS

Division 1--Court Assessment Orders

Division 2--Court Secure Treatment Orders

Division 3--Taking persons subject to Court Assessment Order or Court Secure Treatment Order

Division 4--Transitional provisions

  • 94E Definition  
  • 94F Assessment order and diagnosis, assessment and treatment order  
  • 94G Hospital security order  
  • 94H Restricted involuntary treatment order  
  • 94I Proceedings in relation to orders  

PART 6--MAKING OF SENTENCING AND OTHER ORDERS

Division 1--Explanation of orders

  • 95 Explanation of orders  

Division 3--Taking other charges into account

  • 100 Disposal of other pending charges  

Division 4--Passing of sentence

  • 101 Time and place of sentence  
  • 102 Sentence by another judge or magistrate  
  • 103 Sentences not invalidated by failure to comply with procedural requirements  

PART 7--CORRECTION OF ERRORS

  • 104 Correction of sentences by Supreme Court on judicial review  
  • 104A Power to correct clerical mistakes, etc.  
  • 104B Court may reopen proceeding to correct penalties imposed contrary to law  
  • 104C Effect of reopening a proceeding under section 104B  
  • 104D When proceedings are finally disposed of  

PART 8--HISTORICAL HOMOSEXUAL CONVICTIONS

  • 105 Definitions  
  • 105AA Application of this Part  
  • 105A Part to bind the Crown  
  • 105B Application to Secretary for convictions for historical homosexual offences to be expunged  
  • 105C Submission of further information etc.  
  • 105D Consideration of application  
  • 105E Response to enquiries or requests for information  
  • 105F Appointment of advisors  
  • 105G Mandatory tests  
  • 105H Withdrawal of application  
  • 105I Determination of application  
  • 105J Effect of expungement of conviction  
  • 105K Obligations in relation to official records  
  • 105L Jurisdiction of VCAT  
  • 105M Restriction on right to re-apply  
  • 105N Delegation  
  • 105O Confidentiality  
  • 105P Giving of notices  
  • 105Q Evidentiary provisions  
  • 105R Immunity  
  • 105S No entitlement to compensation  

PART 9--ROYAL PREROGATIVE OF MERCY

  • 106 Saving of royal prerogative of mercy  
  • 107 Release by Governor in exercise of royal prerogative of mercy  
  • 108 Penalties for offences may be remitted  

PART 9A--SENTENCING ADVISORY COUNCIL

  • 108A Definitions  
  • 108B Establishment of Sentencing Advisory Council  
  • 108C Functions of the Council  
  • 108D Powers of the Council  
  • 108E Delegation  
  • 108F Board of directors  
  • 108G Chairperson  
  • 108H Terms and conditions of office of directors  
  • 108I Vacancies and removal of directors from office  
  • 108J Travelling and other allowances  
  • 108K Validity of acts or decisions  
  • 108L Meetings of the Board  
  • 108M Staff  
  • 108N Appointment of consultants  
  • 108O Control on expenditure  
  • 108P Parliamentary requirement for information  

PART 10--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

  • 109 Penalty scale  
  • 109A Operation of penalty provisions  
  • 110 Meaning of penalty units  
  • 111 Location and effect of penalty provisions  
  • 112 Classification of offences as indictable or summary  
  • 112A Maximum fine for indictable offence heard and determined summarily  
  • 113 Maximum term of imprisonment for indictable offence heard and determined summarily  
  • 113A Maximum term of imprisonment for summary offence  
  • 113B Maximum cumulative term of imprisonment imposable by Magistrates' Court  
  • 113C Maximum term of imprisonment where none prescribed  
  • 113D Increased maximum fine for body corporate  
  • 114 Effect of alterations in penalties[19]  
  • 115 Old offences relevant in determining previous convictions  
  • 115A Effect where punishment suffered for indictable offence  
  • 115B Delegation  

PART 11--REGULATIONS AND GENERAL MATTERS

PART 12--TRANSITIONALS

  • 117 Transitional provisions  
  • 117A Transitional provisions—Sentencing (Amendment) Act 1993  
  • 117B Transitional provisions—Miscellaneous Acts (Omnibus Amendments) Act 1996  
  • 118 Transitional provisions (1997 amendments)  
  • 119 Transitional provisions (Sentencing (Amendment) Act 1997)  
  • 120 Transitional provisions (1998 amendments)  
  • 121 Transitional provision—Courts and Tribunals Legislation (Amendment) Act 2000  
  • 122 Transitional provisions—Sentencing (Amendment) Act 1999  
  • 123 Transitional provision—Magistrates' Court (Infringements) Act 2000  
  • 124 Transitional provisions—Victims of Crime Assistance (Amendment) Act 2000  
  • 125 Transitional provisions—Sentencing (Emergency Service Costs) Act 2001  
  • 126 Transitional provisions—Sentencing (Amendment) Act 2002  
  • 126B Application of amendment made by the Road Safety (Alcohol Interlocks) Act 2002  
  • 127 Transitional provision—Crimes (Property Damage and Computer Offences) Act 2003  
  • 127A Transitional provisions—Corrections and Sentencing Acts (Home Detention) Act 2003  
  • 128 Transitional provision—Sentencing (Amendment) Act 2003  
  • 129 Transitional provision—Children and Young Persons (Age Jurisdiction) Act 2004  
  • 130 Transitional provision—Sentencing (Further Amendment) Act 2005  
  • 131 Transitional provision—Sentencing and Mental Health Acts (Amendment) Act 2005  
  • 132 Transitional provision—Courts Legislation (Jurisdiction) Act 2006  
  • 133 Transitional provisions—Sentencing (Suspended Sentences) Act 2006  
  • 134 Transitional provision—Working with Children Act 2005  
  • 135 Transitional provision—Criminal Procedure Legislation Amendment Act 2008  
  • 136 Transitional provision—Justice Legislation Amendment (Sex Offences Procedure) Act 2008  
  • 137 Transitional provision—Crimes Amendment (Identity Crime) Act 2009  
  • 138 Transitional provision—Statute Law Amendment (Evidence Consequential Provisions) Act 2009  
  • 139 Transitional provision—Criminal Procedure Act 2009  
  • 140 Transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment Act 2009  
  • 141 Transitional provision—Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2010  
  • 141A Transitional provision—Sentencing Legislation Amendment (Abolition of Home Detention) Act 2011  
  • 142 Transitional provision—Justice Legislation Amendment (Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Matters) Act 2010  
  • 143 Transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment Act 2010  
  • 144 Transitional provision—Sentencing Further Amendment Act 2011  
  • 145 Transitional provisions—Criminal Procedure Amendment Act 2012  
  • 147 Transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment (Community Correction Reform) Act 2011  
  • 148 Transitional provision—Road Safety and Sentencing Acts Amendment Act 2012  
  • 149 Transitional provision—Criminal Procedure and Sentencing Acts Amendment (Victims of Crime) Act 2012  
  • 149A Validation—Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2013  
  • 149B Transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment (Abolition of Suspended Sentences and Other Matters) Act 2013  
  • 149C Further transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment (Abolition of Suspended Sentences and Other Matters) Act 2013  
  • 149D Additional transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment (Abolition of Suspended Sentences and Other Matters) Act 2013  
  • 150 Transitional provisions—Road Safety and Sentencing Acts Amendment Act 2013  
  • 151 Transitional provision—Summary Offences and Sentencing Amendment Act 2014  
  • 152 Transitional provisions—Sentencing Amendment (Coward's Punch Manslaughter and Other Matters) Act 2014  
  • 153 Transitional provision—Criminal Organisations Control and Other Acts Amendment Act 2014—alcohol exclusion orders  
  • 154 Transitional provisions—Sentencing Amendment (Emergency Workers) Act 2014—general  
  • 156 Transitional provision—Justice Legislation Amendment (Confiscation and Other Matters) Act 2014  
  • 156A Transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment (Correction of Sentencing Error) Act 2015  
  • 157 Transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment (Historical Homosexual Convictions Expungement) Act 2014  
  • 158 Transitional provisions—Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2016  
  • 159 Transitional provisions—Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Amendment (Community Safety) Act 2016  
  • 160 Transitional provision—Police and Justice Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2016  
  • 161 Transitional provision—Children and Justice Legislation Amendment (Youth Justice Reform) Act 2017  
  • 162 Transitional provision—Sentencing (Community Correction Order) and Other Acts Amendment Act 2016  
  • 163 Transitional—Justice Legislation Amendment (Parole Reform and Other Matters) Act 2016  
  • 164 Transitional—Fines Reform Amendment Act 2017  
  • 165 Transitional provision—Transport Legislation Amendment (Better Roads Victoria and Other Amendments) Act 2019  
  • 165A Transitional provisions—Sentencing Amendment (Sentencing Standards) Act 2017  
  • 166 Transitional—Justice Legislation Amendment (Victims) Act 2018  
  • 167 Transitional provisions—Justice Legislation Miscellaneous Amendment Act 2018  
  • 168 Transitional provision—Victims and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018  
  • 169 Transitional provision—Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Act 2019  
  • 170 Transitional provision—Sentencing Amendment (Emergency Worker Harm) Act 2020  
  • 171 Transitional provision—Justice Legislation Amendment (Drug Court and Other Matters) Act 2020  

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