Sentencing in criminal cases

Criminal sentencing options that the courts can give include:

• custodial sentences or imprisonment
• non-custodial alternatives, such as orders or bonds.

The New South Wales Local Court also has a number of programs that may be recommended by the magistrate to address underlying causes of offending. These are outlined in Diversion programs.

Issues taken into account in sentencing

For information on the main issues that judges and magistrates take into account when sentencing an offender, see 'Sentencing Bench Book a guide to sentencing in Australia' published by the Judicial Commission of New South Wales.

Support for families of people sent to prison

If you have had a family member, partner or close friend sentenced to a term in a correctional centre, you can:

• visit the Department of Corrective Services to find out about support services
• read The Families Handbook: A guide for families and friends of prisoners from the Department of Corrective Services
• find out about the family and court support services offered by the independent Community Restorative Centre (CRC).