SENTENCING ACT 1991 - SECT 1 Purposes
SENTENCING ACT 1991 - SECT 1
PurposesThe purposes of this Act are—
(a) to promote consistency of approach in the sentencing of offenders;
(b) to have within the one Act all general provisions dealing with the powers of courts to sentence offenders;
(c) to provide fair procedures—
(i) for imposing sentences; and
S. 1(c)(ii) amended by No. 26/2012 s. 26.
(ii) for dealing with offenders who breach or contravene the terms or conditions of their sentences;
(d) to prevent crime and promote respect for the law by—
(i) providing for sentences that are intended to deter the offender or other persons from committing offences of the same or a similar character; and
(ii) providing for sentences that facilitate the rehabilitation of offenders; and
(iii) providing for sentences that allow the court to denounce the type of conduct in which the offender engaged; and
(iv) ensuring that offenders are only punished to the extent justified by—
(A) the nature and gravity of their offences; and
(B) their culpability and degree of responsibility for their offences; and
(C) the presence of any aggravating or mitigating factor concerning the offender and of any other relevant circumstances; and
(v) promoting public understanding of sentencing practices and procedures;
(e) to provide sentencing principles to be applied by courts in sentencing offenders;
S. 1(f) repealed by No. 41/1993 s. 19.
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(g) to provide for the sentencing of special categories of offender;
(h) to set out the objectives of various sentencing and other orders;
(i) to ensure that victims of crime receive adequate compensation and restitution;
(j) to provide a framework for the setting of maximum penalties;
(k) to vary the penalties that may be imposed in respect of offences under the Crimes Act 1958 ;
(l) generally to reform the sentencing laws of Victoria.