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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.


COMMUNITY BASED SENTENCES (TRANSFER) BILL 2012

                 PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

  Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012



                      TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause                                                                   Page

PART 1--PRELIMINARY                                                         1
  1      Purpose                                                            1
  2      Commencement                                                       1
  3      Application of Act                                                 2
  4      Definitions                                                        2

PART 2--KEY CONCEPTS FOR ACT                                                4
  5      What is a community based sentence?                                4
  6      Jurisdictions and participating jurisdictions                      4
  7      Local and interstate sentences                                     4
  8      What is a corresponding law?                                       5
  9      Interstate authorities                                             5

PART 3--ADMINISTRATION                                                      6
  10     Secretary is local authority                                       6
  11     Local register                                                     6

PART 4--REGISTRATION OF INTERSTATE SENTENCES
IN VICTORIA                                                                 7
  12     Request for transfer of interstate sentence                        7
  13     Form of request for registration                                   7
  14     Request for additional information                                 9
  15     Withdrawal of offender's consent                                   9
  16     Registration criteria                                              9
  17     Decision on request                                               10
  18     Preconditions for registration                                    12
  19     How interstate sentence registered                                12
  20     Notice of registration                                            13
  21     Effect of registration generally                                  13




571252B.I-6/6/2012                      i        BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Clause Page PART 5--REGISTRATION OF LOCAL SENTENCES IN INTERSTATE JURISDICTIONS 16 22 Request for transfer of local sentence 16 23 Response to request for additional information 16 24 Effect of interstate registration 16 PART 6--MISCELLANEOUS 18 25 Inaccurate information about local sentence registered interstate 18 26 Dispute about accuracy of information in interstate register 18 27 Evidence of registration and registered particulars 19 28 Regulations 20 ENDNOTES 22 571252B.I-6/6/2012 ii BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA Introduced in the Assembly Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 A Bill for an Act relating to the interstate transfer of community based sentences and for other purposes. The Parliament of Victoria enacts: PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1 Purpose The purpose of this Act is to allow community based sentences imposed in participating 5 jurisdictions to be transferred, by registration, between participating jurisdictions. 2 Commencement (1) This Act comes into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 1 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 1--Preliminary s. 3 (2) If a provision of this Act does not come into operation before 1 July 2013, it comes into operation on that day. 3 Application of Act 5 (1) This Act applies only to sentences imposed by courts on adults convicted or found guilty of offences. (2) This Act does not apply to a parole order in force under Part 8 of the Corrections Act 1986. 10 4 Definitions In this Act-- community based sentence has the meaning given by section 5; corresponding law has the meaning given by 15 section 8; interstate authority has the meaning given by section 9; interstate jurisdiction has the meaning given by section 6(3); 20 interstate sentence has the meaning given by section 7(2); jurisdiction has the meaning given by section 6(1); local authority has the meaning given by 25 section 10; local register has the meaning given by section 11; local sentence has the meaning given by section 7(1); 30 offender, in relation to a community based sentence, means the person on whom the sentence was imposed; 571252B.I-6/6/2012 2 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 1--Preliminary s. 4 originating jurisdiction, in relation to a community based sentence, means the jurisdiction where the sentence was originally imposed; 5 participating jurisdiction has the meaning given by section 6(2); registration criteria has the meaning given by section 16; sentence means an order, decision or other 10 sentence (however described), and includes part of a sentence; serve a sentence includes-- (a) comply with or satisfy the sentence; and 15 (b) do anything else in accordance with the sentence. __________________ 571252B.I-6/6/2012 3 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 2--Key Concepts for Act s. 5 PART 2--KEY CONCEPTS FOR ACT 5 What is a community based sentence? A community based sentence is-- (a) in relation to Victoria, any of the 5 following-- (i) a community correction order made under section 37 of the Sentencing Act 1991; (ii) a prescribed sentence; and 10 (b) in relation to an interstate jurisdiction, a sentence that is a community based sentence under the corresponding law of the jurisdiction. 6 Jurisdictions and participating jurisdictions 15 (1) A jurisdiction means a State or Territory of the Commonwealth. (2) A participating jurisdiction is Victoria or a State or Territory of the Commonwealth prescribed to be a participating jurisdiction. 20 (3) An interstate jurisdiction is a participating jurisdiction other than Victoria. 7 Local and interstate sentences (1) A local sentence is a community based sentence in force in Victoria. 25 Note For the effect of interstate registration of a local sentence, see section 24. (2) An interstate sentence is a community based sentence in force in an interstate jurisdiction. 30 Note For the effect of registration in Victoria of an interstate sentence, see section 21. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 4 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 2--Key Concepts for Act s. 8 8 What is a corresponding law? A corresponding law is-- (a) a law of an interstate jurisdiction corresponding, or substantially 5 corresponding, to this Act; or (b) a law of an interstate jurisdiction that is prescribed to be a corresponding law, whether or not the law corresponds, or substantially corresponds to this Act. 10 9 Interstate authorities The interstate authority for an interstate jurisdiction is the entity that is the local authority for the jurisdiction under the corresponding law of the jurisdiction. 15 Note The local authority for Victoria is the Secretary to the Department of Justice. __________________ 571252B.I-6/6/2012 5 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 3--Administration s. 10 PART 3--ADMINISTRATION 10 Secretary is local authority The local authority for Victoria is the Secretary to the Department of Justice under the Public 5 Administration Act 2004 and includes a person acting as the Secretary to the Department of Justice under that Act. 11 Local register (1) The local authority must keep a register (the local 10 register) of interstate sentences registered under this Act. (2) The local authority may correct a mistake or omission in the local register. __________________ 571252B.I-6/6/2012 6 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 12 PART 4--REGISTRATION OF INTERSTATE SENTENCES IN VICTORIA 12 Request for transfer of interstate sentence The local authority may register an interstate 5 sentence in Victoria at the request of the interstate authority for the interstate jurisdiction in which the sentence is in force. 13 Form of request for registration (1) The local authority must consider the request if 10 the request-- (a) is in writing; and (b) states the following particulars-- (i) the offender's name; (ii) the offender's date of birth; 15 (iii) the offender's last known address; (iv) any other particulars required by the local authority; and (c) is accompanied by the documents mentioned in subsection (2). 20 (2) The documents to accompany the request are as follows-- (a) a copy of the interstate sentence certified by the interstate authority; (b) a copy of the offender's consent for the 25 registration of the sentence in Victoria; (c) a copy of any relevant pre-sentence report about the offender held by the interstate jurisdiction in relation to any offence committed by the offender for which the 30 offender is subject to a sentence; 571252B.I-6/6/2012 7 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 13 (d) a copy of any relevant psychological or other assessment of the offender held by the interstate authority; (e) details held by the interstate jurisdiction of-- 5 (i) the offender's criminal record (whether in or outside Australia); and (ii) the offender's compliance with the interstate sentence and any other relevant non-custodial sentence; 10 (f) a statement by the interstate authority explaining what part of the sentence has been served in the interstate jurisdiction or any other interstate jurisdiction before the making of the request; 15 (g) a statement by the interstate authority that the authority has explained to the offender, in language likely to be readily understood by the offender, that, if the sentence is registered in Victoria-- 20 (i) the offender will be bound by the requirements of the law of Victoria in relation to the sentence; and (ii) a breach of the sentence may result in the offender being resentenced in 25 Victoria for the offence; and (iii) the other consequences for a breach of the sentence in Victoria may be different from the consequences for a breach of the sentence in the interstate 30 jurisdiction, and, in particular, the penalties for a breach of the sentence may be different; 571252B.I-6/6/2012 8 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 14 (h) a statement by the interstate authority that sets out the reasons given by the offender for requesting to register the interstate sentence in Victoria; 5 (i) any other document required by the local authority. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(c), the offender is subject to a sentence if the sentence has not been fully served and has not been discharged. 10 (4) In considering the request, the local authority may take into account any other information or other documents given to the local authority by the interstate authority. 14 Request for additional information 15 The local authority may ask the interstate authority for additional information about the interstate sentence or the offender. 15 Withdrawal of offender's consent The offender may withdraw consent to the 20 registration of the interstate sentence at any time before (but not after) its registration by giving written notice to the local authority. 16 Registration criteria (1) The registration criteria are that-- 25 (a) the offender has consented to the sentence being registered in Victoria and has not withdrawn the consent; and (b) there is a corresponding community based sentence under the law of Victoria; and 30 (c) the offender can comply with the sentence in Victoria; and (d) the sentence can be safely, efficiently and effectively administered in Victoria. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 9 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 17 (2) For the purposes of this section, there is a corresponding community based sentence under the law of Victoria for the interstate sentence if-- (a) a community based sentence under the law 5 of Victoria corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to the interstate sentence; or (b) a community based sentence under the law of Victoria is prescribed to correspond to the interstate sentence, whether or not the 10 sentence corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to the interstate sentence. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a community based sentence under a law of Victoria corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to an 15 interstate sentence if and only if the law of Victoria provides that-- (a) a penalty of substantially the same nature as the penalty imposed by the interstate sentence can be imposed by the community 20 based sentence; and (b) conditions of substantially the same nature as the conditions to which the interstate sentence is subject can be imposed in relation to the community based sentence. 25 17 Decision on request (1) The local authority may, in accordance with this section, decide-- (a) to register the interstate sentence; or (b) to register the sentence if the offender meets 30 preconditions imposed under section 18; or (c) not to register the sentence. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 10 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 17 (2) In deciding whether to register the interstate sentence, the local authority-- (a) must have regard to the registration criteria; and 5 (b) may have regard to-- (i) any prescribed matter; and (ii) any other relevant matter. (3) The local authority may decide not to register the interstate sentence even if satisfied the registration 10 criteria are met. (4) The local authority must not decide to register the interstate sentence (with or without preconditions) unless satisfied that the registration criteria are met. 15 (5) The local authority may decide whether to register the interstate sentence, or to impose any preconditions, on the information and documents given to the authority under this Part, and any other information or documents available to the 20 authority, without hearing the offender. (6) To avoid doubt, the local authority may decide to register the interstate sentence even if-- (a) the interstate jurisdiction is not the originating jurisdiction for the sentence; or 25 (b) the sentence has previously been registered in Victoria or Victoria is the originating jurisdiction for the sentence; or (c) the authority has previously decided not to register the sentence in Victoria. 30 Note For the effect of registration in Victoria of an interstate sentence, see section 21. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 11 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 18 (7) If the local authority decides not to register the interstate sentence, the authority must give written notice of the decision to the offender and the interstate authority. 5 18 Preconditions for registration (1) The local authority may impose preconditions for the registration of the interstate sentence that the offender must meet to show that the offender can comply, and is willing to comply, with the 10 sentence in Victoria. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the local authority may impose preconditions of the following kind-- (a) that the offender must satisfy the local 15 authority before a stated time that the offender is living in Victoria; (b) that the offender must report to a stated person in Victoria at a stated time and place (or another time and place agreed between 20 the local authority and the offender). (3) If the local authority decides to impose preconditions, the local authority must give written notice of the decision and the preconditions to the offender and the interstate 25 authority. (4) The local authority may, by written notice to the offender and the interstate authority, amend or revoke any precondition. 19 How interstate sentence registered 30 (1) If the local authority decides to register the interstate sentence in Victoria without imposing preconditions for the registration of the sentence, the local authority must register the sentence by entering the prescribed details in the local register. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 12 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 20 (2) If the local authority decides to impose preconditions for the registration of the interstate sentence, the local authority must register the sentence by entering the prescribed details in the 5 local register only if the authority is satisfied that the preconditions have been met. 20 Notice of registration (1) If the local authority registers the interstate sentence in Victoria, the local authority must give 10 written notice of the registration to the offender and the interstate authority. (2) The notice must state the date the sentence was registered. 21 Effect of registration generally 15 (1) If the interstate sentence is registered in Victoria, the following provisions apply-- (a) the sentence becomes a community based sentence in force in Victoria, and ceases to be a community based sentence in force in 20 the interstate jurisdiction; (b) the sentence is taken to have been validly imposed by-- (i) if the sentence was imposed by a court of summary jurisdiction or by a court 25 on appeal from a court of summary jurisdiction--the Magistrates' Court; or (ii) if the sentence was imposed by the Supreme Court of the interstate jurisdiction--the Supreme Court; or 30 (iii) in any other case--the County Court; (c) the sentence continues to apply to the offender in accordance with its terms despite anything to the contrary under the law of Victoria; 571252B.I-6/6/2012 13 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 21 (d) the offence (the relevant offence) for which the sentence was imposed on the offender is taken to be an offence against the law of Victoria, and not an offence against the law 5 of the originating jurisdiction; (e) the penalty for the relevant offence is taken to be the relevant penalty for the offence under the law of the originating jurisdiction, and not the penalty for an offence of that 10 kind (if any) under the law of Victoria; (f) any part of the sentence served in an interstate jurisdiction before its registration is taken to have been served in Victoria; (g) the offender may be dealt with in Victoria 15 for a breach of the sentence, whether the breach happened before, or happens after, the registration of the sentence; (h) the law of Victoria applies to the sentence and any breach of it with the changes (if any) 20 prescribed by the regulations. (2) Subsection (1)(d) and (e) do not apply if Victoria is the originating jurisdiction. (3) Subsection (1)(e) applies only for the purpose of determining the penalty to be imposed for the 25 relevant offence in circumstances in which the offender is, under the law of Victoria, re-sentenced in relation to that offence. (4) This section does not affect any right, in the originating jurisdiction, of appeal or review 30 (however described) in relation to-- (a) the conviction or finding of guilt on which the interstate sentence was based; or (b) the imposition of the interstate sentence. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 14 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 4--Registration of Interstate Sentences in Victoria s. 21 (5) Any sentence or decision imposed or made on an appeal or review mentioned in subsection (4) has effect in Victoria as if it were validly imposed or made on an appeal or review in Victoria. 5 (6) This section does not give any right to the offender to an appeal or review (however described) in Victoria in relation to the conviction, finding of guilt or imposition of sentence mentioned in subsection (4). 10 (7) This section does not apply to an interstate sentence to the extent to which-- (a) it imposes a fine or other financial penalty (however described); or (b) it requires the making of reparation (however 15 described). __________________ 571252B.I-6/6/2012 15 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 5--Registration of Local Sentences in Interstate Jurisdictions s. 22 PART 5--REGISTRATION OF LOCAL SENTENCES IN INTERSTATE JURISDICTIONS 22 Request for transfer of local sentence The local authority may request the interstate 5 authority for an interstate jurisdiction to register a local sentence in the interstate jurisdiction. 23 Response to request for additional information The local authority may, at the request of the interstate authority or on its own initiative, give 10 the interstate authority any additional information about the local sentence or the offender. 24 Effect of interstate registration (1) If the local sentence is registered in the interstate jurisdiction, the following provisions have 15 effect-- (a) the sentence becomes a community based sentence in force in the interstate jurisdiction, and ceases to be a community based sentence in force in Victoria; 20 (b) the offender may be dealt with in the interstate jurisdiction for a breach of the sentence, whether the breach happened before, or happens after, the registration of the sentence; 25 (c) if the sentence is registered in the local register--the sentence ceases to be registered; (d) proceedings against the offender may not be commenced or continued under the law of 30 Victoria in relation to any breach of the conditions attached to the sentence that occurred before it was registered in the interstate jurisdiction. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 16 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 5--Registration of Local Sentences in Interstate Jurisdictions s. 24 (2) If Victoria is the originating jurisdiction for the local sentence, this section does not affect any right of appeal or review (however described) in relation to-- 5 (a) the conviction or finding of guilt on which the sentence was based; or (b) the imposition of the sentence. (3) If Victoria is the originating jurisdiction for the local sentence-- 10 (a) this section does not affect the sentence to the extent to which it-- (i) imposes a fine or other financial penalty (however described); or (ii) requires the making of reparation 15 (however described); and (b) the sentence remains a sentence in force in Victoria to that extent and may be enforced accordingly. (4) To avoid doubt, this section does not prevent the 20 local sentence from later being registered in Victoria. __________________ 571252B.I-6/6/2012 17 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 6--Miscellaneous s. 25 PART 6--MISCELLANEOUS 25 Inaccurate information about local sentence registered interstate (1) This section applies if-- 5 (a) a community based sentence that was a local sentence is registered in an interstate jurisdiction; and (b) the local authority becomes aware that information about the sentence or the 10 offender recorded in the register kept under the corresponding law of the interstate jurisdiction (the interstate register) is not, or is no longer, accurate. (2) The local authority must tell the interstate 15 authority for the interstate jurisdiction how the information in the interstate register needs to be changed to be accurate. (3) Without limiting subsection (2), the local authority must tell the interstate authority about-- 20 (a) any part of the sentence served in Victoria between the making of the request to register the sentence in the interstate jurisdiction and its registration in the interstate jurisdiction; or 25 (b) the outcome of any appeal or review in Victoria affecting the sentence. 26 Dispute about accuracy of information in interstate register (1) This section applies if-- 30 (a) a community based sentence that was a local sentence is registered in an interstate jurisdiction; and 571252B.I-6/6/2012 18 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 6--Miscellaneous s. 27 (b) the offender claims, in writing, to the interstate authority for the interstate jurisdiction that the information recorded about the sentence or the offender in the 5 register kept under the corresponding law of the interstate jurisdiction (the interstate register) is not, or is no longer, accurate, and states in the claim how the information is inaccurate. 10 (2) The interstate authority may send the local authority-- (a) a copy of the claim; and (b) an extract from the interstate register containing the information that the offender 15 claims is inaccurate. (3) The local authority must check whether the information in the extract is accurate, having regard to the offender's claims. (4) If the local authority is satisfied that the 20 information is accurate, the local authority must tell the interstate authority. (5) If the local authority is satisfied that the information is inaccurate, the local authority must give the interstate authority the correct 25 information. 27 Evidence of registration and registered particulars (1) A certificate that appears to be signed by or on behalf of the local authority or the interstate authority for an interstate jurisdiction, and states a 30 matter that appears in or can be worked out from the register kept under this Act or a corresponding law, is evidence of the matter. (2) A certificate under subsection (1) may state a matter by reference to a date or period. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 19 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 6--Miscellaneous s. 28 (3) A certificate that appears to be signed by or on behalf of the local authority or the interstate authority for an interstate jurisdiction, and states any prescribed matter, is evidence of the matter. 5 (4) A certificate that appears to be signed by or on behalf of the local authority or the interstate authority for an interstate jurisdiction and states any of the following details is evidence of the matter-- 10 (a) details of a community based sentence or the offender in relation to a community based sentence; (b) details of any part of a community based sentence that has or has not been served. 15 (5) A court must accept a certificate mentioned in this section as proof of the matters stated in it if there is no evidence to the contrary. (6) A court must admit into evidence other documents prescribed by the regulations in the circumstances 20 prescribed by the regulations. (7) A court may admit into evidence other documents prescribed by the regulations in the circumstances prescribed by the regulations. 28 Regulations 25 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to any matter or thing required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this Act. 30 (2) Regulations made under this Act may-- (a) be of general or limited application; (b) differ according to differences in time, place or circumstance; 571252B.I-6/6/2012 20 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Part 6--Miscellaneous s. 28 (c) confer a discretionary authority or impose a duty on a specified person or body or a specified class of person or body. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 21 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

Community Based Sentences (Transfer) Bill 2012 Endnotes ENDNOTES By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria. 571252B.I-6/6/2012 22 BILL LA INTRODUCTION 6/6/2012

 


 

 


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