Queenslanders can be the judge and sentence an offender

A new online tool allows Queenslanders to put themselves in the shoes of a judge or magistrate and find the appropriate sentence for an offender.

The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, which the Palaszczuk Government reinstated, has launched a new online interactive educational tool to inform the community about the processes involved when members of judiciary sentence offenders.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the Judge for Yourself website, launched today during Law Week, allowed Queenslanders to hear evidence in three different cases and allocate the appropriate sentence, based on various factors that judges have to consider.

“The cases are based on real cases that have been through the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“This new resource provides an engaging way for ordinary Queenslanders to gain a better understanding of the way our sentencing processes work.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises the strong community interest in the criminal justice system and sentencing courts, and this is why we reconstituted the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council.

“The Council has various roles including informing, engaging and advising the community, and the Government, about sentencing matters.

“I would like to thank the Sentencing Advisory Council for their hard work in developing this informative tool, and for their dedication to increasing awareness about justice matters across Queensland.”

Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council member Dan Rogers said Judge for Yourself showed there was a lot more to sentencing than a headline.

“Sentencing makes our community safer. It is a rare opportunity to address someone’s behaviour and the underlying issues which led to the offences being committed,” he said.

The website is aimed at giving the public a better understanding about how the court system works, the roles of key people in the courtroom, and the different sentencing options available, such as fines, good behaviour bonds, parole, suspended sentences and imprisonment.

The Judge for Yourself website is available here: www.qld.gov.au/judgeforyourself

The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council is also running free live Judge for Yourself community sessions, which are open to the public, across Queensland during June and July.

More details about times and locations, and the role of the Sentencing Advisory Council, are available on the website: www.sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au

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Media Contact:

Attorney-General: 0437 696 809

Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council: (07) 3224 7374