Bynder v Gokel ; 8 NTLR 91; 125 NTR 1; 147 FLR 221; 103 A Crim R 81

8 NTLR 91; [1998] NTSC 110

Supreme Court of the Northern Territory

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Catchwords

1. Criminal Law
2. › Sentencing
3. › Juvenile offenders
4. › Powers of Juvenile Court
5. › Statutory tribunal
6. › Whether Juvenile Court can back-date sentence of detention
7. › Whether Juvenile Court can impose cumulative sentences
8. › Whether Juvenile Court can impose effective term exceeding 12 months
9. › Juvenile Justice Act 1983 (NT), ss 53(1)(g), 53(2), 53AE(2A), 91(2)
10. › Sentencing Act (NT), ss 4, 51, 63(5)
1. Courts and Tribunals
2. › Inferior courts
3. › Statutory tribunals
4. › Jurisdiction and powers
5. › No inherent jurisdiction
6. › Powers arising by necessary implication
7. › Whether power to back-date sentences or impose cumulative sentences arises by necessary implication
8. › Juvenile Justice Act 1983 (NT), s 53

Quick Take

The Juvenile Court in the Northern Territory has no power to back-date sentences of detention, no general power to impose cumulative sentences (except under ss 25(4), 53(2), 53AE(2A) and 91(2) of the Juvenile Justice Act), and cannot impose effective terms exceeding 12 months except under ss 53(2), 91(2) and 53AE(2A). The 12-month maximum in s 53(1)(g) applies per charge, not as an aggregate. Where a sentence exceeding 12 months is warranted, the Juvenile Court should decline jurisdiction and commit the matter to the Supreme Court under ss 36 or 38(2).