Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999

Mandatory nature of sentencing discount In determining the sentence for an offence, the court is to apply a sentencing discount for the utilitarian value of a guilty plea in accordance with this section if the offender pleaded guilty to the offence at any time before being sentenced.

Amounts of sentencing discounts The discount for a guilty plea by an offender (other than an offender referred to in subsection (3) or (5) or section 25E) is as follows—

a reduction of 25% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if the plea was accepted by the Judge of the Local Court in committal proceedings for the offence,

a reduction of 10% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if the offender was committed for trial and the offender—

pleaded guilty at least 14 days before the first day of the trial of the offender, or

complied with the pre-trial notice requirements and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity able to be obtained by the offender,

a reduction of 5% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if paragraph (a) or (b) does not apply.

Discount variations—new count offences The discount for a guilty plea by an offender in respect of a new count offence is as follows—

a reduction of 25% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if an offer to plead guilty was made by the offender and recorded in a negotiations document as soon as practicable after the ex officio indictment was filed or the indictment was amended to include the new count,

a reduction of 25% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if—

the offender was discharged under section 68(2)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, and

an offer to plead guilty was made by the offender and recorded in a negotiations document as soon as practicable after the ex officio indictment was filed or the indictment was amended to include the new count,

a reduction of 10% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if paragraph (a) or (a1) does not apply and the offender—

pleaded guilty at least 14 days before the first day of the trial of the offender, or

complied with the pre-trial notice requirements and pleaded guilty to the offence at the first available opportunity able to be obtained by the offender,

a reduction of 5% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if paragraph (a), (a1) or (b) does not apply.

However, the discount in subsection (3) (a) does not apply if—

the facts or evidence that establish the elements of the new count offence are substantially the same as those contained in the brief of evidence or other material served on the offender by the prosecutor in committal proceedings relating to the original indictment and the penalty for the new count offence is the same as, or less than, the offence set out in the original indictment, or

the offender refused an offer to plead guilty to the new count offence that was made by the prosecutor in the committal proceedings relating to the original indictment and the offer was recorded in a negotiations document.

Discount variations—person found fit to be tried after committal for trial The discount for a guilty plea by an offender who is found fit to be tried after the offender is committed for trial, and whose matter was not remitted to a Judge of the Local Court for continued committal proceedings, is as follows—

a reduction of 25% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if the offender pleaded guilty as soon as practicable after the offender was found fit to be tried,

a reduction of 10% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if paragraph (a) does not apply and the offender—

pleaded guilty at least 14 days before the first day of the trial of the offender, or

complied with the pre-trial notice requirements and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity able to be obtained by the offender,

a reduction of 5% in any sentence that would otherwise have been imposed, if paragraph (a) or (b) does not apply.

Opportunities for legal help to be taken into account For the purpose of determining under subsection (3) or (5) whether the offender pleaded guilty as soon as practicable after an ex officio indictment was filed or the original indictment was amended or after a finding of fitness to be tried, the court is to take into account whether the offender had a reasonable opportunity to obtain legal advice and give instructions to his or her legal representative (if any).