This report presents key trends in the Conviction and Sentencing Statistics released by the Ministry of Justice and Statistics New Zealand. It covers the calendar years from 1992 to 2011, with detailed analysis of the most recent years (2007 to 2011).
The volumes of people appearing in court are heavily influenced by a lower crime rate and the actions of police. The Conviction and Sentencing Statistics 2011 reflect trends in the 2011 recorded crime statistics, released by the New Zealand Police.
Key Results
The Conviction and Sentencing Statistics 2011 show:
- fewer criminal charges being laid in court, and fewer people appearing in court – across all ethnic groups
- more charges resulting in conviction a decrease in overall serious and violent offences in the past five years
- fewer people being sentenced to imprisonment for less serious offences, and
- young males, and Māori still being over-represented in court statistics.