Conviction and Sentencing statistics released

The annual Conviction and Sentencing statistics update has been released today.

Covering the period 2000-2009, the statistics show improving prosecution outcomes, a decreasing proportion of drug and property offences, and increased convictions for violent crime and traffic offences over the last decade.

The number of prosecutions in 2009 was nine percent higher than the previous year, and 41 percent higher than in 2000. Almost 370,000 criminal charges were prosecuted in 2009, with the number of prosecutions per 10 thousand residents increasing 26 percent over the decade.

The statistics also show the number of charges resulting in a conviction rose by 47 percent over the decade. In 2009 the highest number of convictions were for traffic offences and offences against justice.

Public order offences and abduction and harassment offences increased in the 10 years to 2009, and convictions for injury causing offences also increased during the same period, while the number of convictions for fraud and deception offences decreased.

In 2009, 42 percent of offenders received monetary penalties as the most serious sentence, and 27 percent were sentenced to community work. Nine percent of convicted offenders were imprisoned.

The conviction and sentencing statistics are considered core government indicators, and are published yearly. They include data relating to prosecutions and convictions, sentencing, custodial sentences and remands. It also presents data on non-custodial sentences and monetary penalties.

The full version of the bulletin can be found online at http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/c/conviction-and-sentencing-2000-to-2009

ENDS

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