value of the outstanding fine. They have the power to arrest an offender, which may lead to a sentence of imprisonment. When a court imposes a community correction order, Corrections Victoria administers the sentence. Offenders are under the supervision of a community corrections officer who monitors their compliance with the conditions of the community correction order (courts can order conditions such as regular reporting, drug and alcohol testing, or participation in treatment and rehabilitation programs). Parole boards The Adult Parole Board, the Youth Parole Board, and the Youth Residential Board decide whether an offender serving a custodial sentence (in prison or youth detention) can be released on parole (under certain conditions) and supervised in the community. When is a sentence imposed? A sentence can only be imposed when a court finds a person guilty of an offence (a crime). The process leading to a sentence Investigation Normally, an offence is reported to (or detected by) the police, who then gather evidence. Other agencies can also investigate offences (for example, the Environment Protection Authority). The evidence collected influences which offence (if any) the police charge a person with. Police gather evidence by conducting an investigation and interviewing victims and witnesses. Once police identify a suspect, they may attempt to locate and then question this person. Arrest and the charge When police have enough evidence, they arrest the alleged offender (take the person into custody) and charge them with an offence. In doing this, the police are enforcing laws made by parliament. Legislation such as the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) and the Drugs,
value of the outstanding fine. They have the power to arrest an offender, which may lead to a sentence of imprisonment. When a court imposes a community correction order, Corrections Victoria administers the sentence. Offenders are under the supervision of a community corrections officer who monitors their compliance with the conditions of the community correction order (courts can order conditions such as regular reporting, drug and alcohol testing, or participation in treatment and rehabilitation programs). Parole boards The Adult Parole Board, the Youth Parole Board, and the Youth Residential Board decide whether an offender serving a custodial sentence (in prison or youth detention) can be released on parole (under certain conditions) and supervised in the community. When is a sentence imposed? A sentence can only be imposed when a court finds a person guilty of an offence (a crime). The process leading to a sentence Investigation Normally, an offence is reported to (or detected by) the police, who then gather evidence. Other agencies can also investigate offences (for example, the Environment Protection Authority). The evidence collected influences which offence (if any) the police charge a person with. Police gather evidence by conducting an investigation and interviewing victims and witnesses. Once police identify a suspect, they may attempt to locate and then question this person. Arrest and the charge When police have enough evidence, they arrest the alleged offender (take the person into custody) and charge them with an offence. In doing this, the police are enforcing laws made by parliament. Legislation such as the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) and the Drugs,
AQuickGuideToSentencing2017.docx