What happens at Sentencing Proceedings?

When a Magistrate commits a person to the District Court for sentence that person will be given the date when the matter will first come before the District Court. The Court will then manage the progress of the case.

At the sentence hearing the Court will be presented with the facts of the case. The Court may also order that a pre-sentence report be provided. Both the prosecution and defence may present such other reports and evidence as may be considered appropriate, including the accused’s previous criminal record and victim impact statements.

The penalties the Court can impose include good behaviour bonds, fines, community service orders, periodic detention and imprisonment.