When sentencing an adult for an offence committed as a juvenile, the sentencing judge must give proper and explicit regard to the principles concerning sentencing juveniles, including the offender's emotional immaturity, the reduced significance of general deterrence, and the need for rehabilitation — regardless of the seriousness of the offence. Section 25AA of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) concerning sentencing patterns and practices does not displace these juvenile sentencing principles. A useful approach may be for the sentencing judge to hypothetically consider what sentence would have been imposed shortly after the offence when the offender was still a juvenile.
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