About Sentencing

Learn more about sentencing in NSW.

Sentencing is a complex process. It balances competing community interests, including the need to punish offenders, promote rehabilitiation, prevent further offending and protect the community. 

In this section, we provide an overview of the sentencing process. The information is largely based on the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999.

Sentencing hearing
Learn more about who is who at the courts and what happens at a sentence hearing in NSW.
Purposes of sentencing
Find out the different purposes for which a court can sentence an offender under NSW Law.
Factors in sentencing
Details on a number of factors judges and magistrates keep in mind before sentencing an offender.
Penalties
Explanation on how the sentencing regime has applied since 24 September 2018.
Guideline judgments
Outline of the court's decisions to guide the judges on how to sentence offenders.
Parole
Information about what parole is and how non-parole works for an offender.
Last updated:

10 Mar 2025