The purposes for which a court can sentence an offender under NSW law are to:
- ensure that the offender is adequately punished for the offence
- prevent crime by preventing the offender and other persons from committing similar offences
- protect the community from the offender
- promote the rehabilitation of the offender
- make the offender responsible (accountable) for his or her actions
- condemn (denounce) the conduct of the offender
- recognise the harm done to the victim of the crime and the community.