Conviction and Sentencing of Offenders in New Zealand: 1995 to 2004

• NCJ Number: 214837
• Author(s): Barb Lash; Fleur Watson
• Date Published: February 2006
• Length: 192 pages
• Sale Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: New Zealand

Annotation

This report presents findings on trends in prosecutions, convictions, and sentencing in New Zealand during the 10-year period 1995 though 2004.

Abstract

In 2004, New Zealand prosecuted 288,388 criminal charges, the highest recorded number of criminal prosecutions in a decade. The proportion of all prosecutions resulting in a conviction decreased from 70 percent in 1995 to 65 percent in 2004. Violent offense convictions also decreased from 16,714 convictions in 1995 to 14,427 in 2002 but increased to 15,643 convictions in 2004. Violent offenses accounted for 8 percent to 9 percent of all convictions during the 10-year study period. Following traffic offenses, property offenses comprise the largest group of offenses resulting in conviction, comprising 27 percent of all convictions in 2004. Convictions for property offenses decreased 12 percent between 1995 and 2004, mainly due to a decrease in the number of convictions for fraud and burglary. Most convictions for drug offenses in New Zealand involved cannabis, including over three-quarters of drug convictions in 2004. In terms of sentencing, 7 percent to 9 percent of people convicted each year during the study period received a prison sentence, with the proportion of prison sentences increasing each year since 1997. In 2004, 10,267 cases resulted in a prison sentence, the highest recorded figure during the study period. The total prison population in New Zealand during 2004 averaged 6,595 offenders. The use of work-related community sentences decreased to 23 percent in 2004, the lowest recorded rate during the 10-year study period, while the use of supervision sentences decreased from 5,000 annually between 1995 and 1998 to 2,000 in 2004. Monetary penalties were used in 47 percent to 53 percent of cases from 1995 through 2004. Approximately 31,200 juveniles between 14 to 16 years were arrested during the study period, with the lowest overall youth apprehension rate occurring in 2004. The majority of arrested youth were handled by the Police Youth Aid Section. Footnotes, tables, figures, references, appendixes