4513.0 - Criminal Courts, Australia, 2012-13 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/03/2014   
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CRIMINAL COURTS, 2012–13 - QUEENSLAND

Total finalised defendants

In 2012–13, the number of finalised defendants in Queensland was 162,217. (Table 22)

Between 2011–12 and 2012–13, the number of finalised defendants increased by 2% (2,820 defendants):

  • male defendants increased by 2% (2,447 defendants); and
  • female defendants increased by 1% (539 defendants). (Table 23)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants

In 2012–13, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants made up 24% of all finalised defendants. (Table 22)

Principal offence

In 2012–13, the three most common principal offences were:
  • traffic and vehicle regulatory offences (37% or 59,504 defendants);
  • public order offences (12% or 18,595 defendants); and
  • illicit drug offences (10% or 16,231 defendants). (Table 22)

Method of finalisation

Of the 162,217 defendants finalised in 2012–13:
  • 147,137 (91%) were proven guilty;
  • 10,240 (6%) had their charges withdrawn by the prosecution; and
  • 1,305 (1%) were acquitted. (Table 22)

Principal sentence

Of defendants found guilty in 2012–13, the median sentence length or fine amount for those who received a principal sentence of:
  • custody in a correctional institution was 9 months;
  • a community service order was 61 hours; and
  • a fine was $400. (Tables 53, 54 and 55)

Other key points

In 2012–13, Queensland had:
  • the largest number of finalised defendants (162,217 defendants);
  • the highest proportion of female defendants (24% or 38,189 defendants); and
  • the highest proportion of defendants with a principal offence of illicit drug offences (10% or 16,231 defendants).