Sentencing in Victoria
Once either a judge or jury has found you guilty of an offence, the matter proceeds to sentencing. During the sentencing process, the judge hears from the Crown prosecutor and the defence lawyer as to what the appropriate sentence should be, and why.
In assessing the positions put forward by Crown and Defence, the Judge must keep in mind all the principles of sentencing set out in the Criminal Code, as well as any minimum or maximum sentence for any particular offence. A good place to start before any sentencing, therefore, is the Criminal Code.