Sentencing Legislation

Criminal practitioners can be forgiven for any current confusion over prospective amendments to sentencing law. There are currently three separate pieces of legislation before the parliament concerning sentencing law.

• The Sentencing (Reform) Amendment) Bill 2024 inserts new provisions in the Sentencing Act to limit the discounts available to offenders. The bill is yet to commence, and there is a three-month period between assent and commencement.
• The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill 2024 does what it says on the tin. It has been before the parliament since June. If passed, it will commence six months after assent, except parole eligibility provisions which commence on assent.
• The Sentencing Amendment Bill 2024 amends the aggravating and mitigating factors in s 9 of the Sentencing Act to include participants in organised crime.

Practitioners can rest assured that By Lawyers are monitoring these Bills and that any necessary amendments to our Criminal and Traffic guides will be made in accordance with the respective commencement provisions.