❓ Question regarding the use and impact of fast-track guilty pleas in WA District Court criminal cases during 2009, specifically focusing on sentence discounts and workload implications. The Attorney General provides data on the number of fast-track pleas, their percentage, the cut-off point, and workload impact, but lacks data on the longest period for availing the option and cases with full brief disclosure.
AnsweredQoN 2579Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In the calendar year 2009, how many defendants in District Court criminal cases were given a discount in sentence by entering a fast-track plea?
(2) What percentage is that of the total number of cases finalised in that period?
(3) At what stage in the process is the option of a fast-track plea no longer available to a defendant?
(4) Has the fast-track process led to additional workload in the magistrate’s courts; and
(a) if so, how is that being monitored?
(5) What has been the longest period since a matter was first mentioned in court that a defendant has still been able to avail himself of the fast-track option?
(6) Were there any cases where the prosecution had disclosed the full trial brief and a defendant was still able to enter a fast-track plea and receive a discount on sentence; and
(a) if so, how many cases of this were there in the abovementioned period?
(2) What percentage is that of the total number of cases finalised in that period?
(3) At what stage in the process is the option of a fast-track plea no longer available to a defendant?
(4) Has the fast-track process led to additional workload in the magistrate’s courts; and
(a) if so, how is that being monitored?
(5) What has been the longest period since a matter was first mentioned in court that a defendant has still been able to avail himself of the fast-track option?
(6) Were there any cases where the prosecution had disclosed the full trial brief and a defendant was still able to enter a fast-track plea and receive a discount on sentence; and
(a) if so, how many cases of this were there in the abovementioned period?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 May 2010
Response time
28 days
(1) In the calendar year 2009, 1213 accused were committed to the District Court for sentence having pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court. In accordance with section 8(2) of the
Sentencing Act 1995 (WA)
, a plea of guilty by an offender is a mitigating factor and the earlier in the proceedings that this is made, the greater the mitigation. Of the 1213 accused committed to the District Court, 585 were the subject of a fast-track guilty plea.
(2) 23%
(3) The option of a fast-track plea ceases to be available to an accused beyond a committal mention hearing in the Magistrates Court.
(4) No
(4a) Not applicable.
(5) This information is not available.
(6) This information is not available.
(6a) Not applicable.
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Sentencing Act 1995 (WA)
, a plea of guilty by an offender is a mitigating factor and the earlier in the proceedings that this is made, the greater the mitigation. Of the 1213 accused committed to the District Court, 585 were the subject of a fast-track guilty plea.
(2) 23%
(3) The option of a fast-track plea ceases to be available to an accused beyond a committal mention hearing in the Magistrates Court.
(4) No
(4a) Not applicable.
(5) This information is not available.
(6) This information is not available.
(6a) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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