Guilty outcomes were obtained in 88 per cent of serious crimes prosecuted in Victoria in 2011/12, according to the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) Annual Report tabled in State Parliament today.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) John Champion S.C. said the Victorian public prosecutions service – consisting of his office, the OPP and Crown Prosecutors’ Chambers – had delivered effective, economic and efficient prosecutions.
“We prosecute the most serious crimes committed in Victoria and in 88 per cent of those matters completed in 2011/12, either a guilty plea was entered or a conviction was achieved at trial,” Mr Champion said.
Guilty pleas were entered in 74 per cent of all matters, and jury convictions were obtained in 63 per cent of trials completed – the highest level in 10 years. Other results include:
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$19.8 million of proceeds of crime was confiscated
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a record 6,900 victim and witness consultations were undertaken by the OPP’s Witness Assistance Service
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the Interactive Legal Education Program to educate defence and prosecution lawyers about best practice in sex offence matters was developed and launched
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a Director’s Policy on Family Violence was launched.
The results reflect Mr Champion’s first year as DPP. Mr Champion was appointed acting DPP on 1 July 2011 and became Victoria’s seventh DPP in November 2011.
The DPP is responsible for instituting, preparing and conducting Victoria’s most serious criminal matters in the High Court, Supreme Court and County Court on behalf of the Crown.
“The prosecutions service staff are committed and energetic and contribute in a fundamental way to the efficient operation of the criminal justice system and, in doing so, to the continued welfare and safety of all Victorians,” Mr Champion said.
For further information contact:
Lisa Walker
03 9603 7493
0400 494 962