A community corrections order is where your punishment is served out in your community, with conditions attached. It depends what your offence was, if you were found guilty, and what the circumstances were.
The circumstances
These orders can be made at your local Magistrate’s Court or a Supreme Court, and are more serious than an infringement notice (fine) but definitely not as severe as going to prison for any length of time. You may get a community corrections order if your offence (found guilty) attracts five or more penalty units, they think you need more punishment than just a fine, and you have agreed to the order. These orders can be set up for up to two years via the Magistrate, however your community corrections order cannot be longer than the maximum prison sentence for that offence.
The community corrections order process
A Magistrate must get a pre-sentence report from Corrections Victoria to establish suitability. Your court date may be postponed until the report is made, though this can often be done the same day. The report contains a lot of information about you, including your home, financial, mental, and substance abuse situations, and recommendations. This report isn’t required if the only condition in your order is for under 300 hours of community service work.
The terms of the community corrections order arrangement
- Do not commit any more offences while the order is in place
- Report to Corrections Victoria within two days of the order being made
- Meet regularly with your supervisor
- Tell Corrections Victoria if you move house
- Stay in Victoria, except with permission to leave
- Comply with instructions by Corrections Victoria
- Comply with the conditions
Conditions
There will be at least one condition to your order. These conditions might be:
- Do community work up to 600 hours (up to 20 hours per week)
- Undergo drug or alcohol abuse treatment
- Be supervised or managed by Corrections Victoria
- Keep a distance from certain people (possibly co-offenders)
- Keep away from certain places
- Obey the curfew imposed
- Attend court so the Magistrate can chart your progress
- Pay a bond
- Agree to any orders the Magistrate thinks will be fitting
Breaking the order
If you break the community corrections order, you can face penalties including three months in prison or 30 penalty units. These cases can do with some solid legal advice, particularly if the order is breached and you are facing prison.
If you want legal support and advice, contact Vanessa Ash for a free conversation about your circumstances to see if we can help you.
Don’t leave it to chance. Call Vanessa Ash and Associates today.