Local Court New South Wales

Non-custodial alternatives

These are some of the penalties or orders that a court can make that do not involve imprisonment.

Community Correction Order

A Community Correction Order (CCO) is a community based sentencing option that a judicial officer may consider a suitable alternative to a term of imprisonment. A CCO will have standard conditions which includes that an offender must not commit any offence.

A CCO may also include additional and/or further conditions dependent on the type of offence, community safety, and an offender's circumstances. Additional conditions may include supervision, community service work, curfews, alcohol and drug abstinence, non-association, place restriction, programs and treatment.

Conditional Release Order

A Conditional Release Order (CRO) is a community based sentencing option that provides the court with an option to divert low-risk and less serious offenders away from the criminal justice system. A CRO can be imposed with or without conviction.

A CRO will have standard conditions which includes that an offender must not commit any offence. A CRO may also include additional and/or further conditions dependant on the type of offence, community safety, and an offender's circumstances. Additional conditions may include supervision, alcohol and drug abstinence, non-association, place restriction, programs and treatment.

Driving disqualification

In driving offences, a court can impose a driving disqualification period that prevents a person from driving for a period of time.

Fines or monetary orders

A fine or monetary order is a sum of money that has to be paid. Monetary orders include court costs, witness expenses, compensation and professional costs.

Apprehended Violence Orders

An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is an order that prohibits certain behaviour for a period of time. Orders can include not to assault, harass or intimidate a protected person; not to contact a protected person, or not to attend premises where a protected person lives or works. Breaching an apprehended violence order can result in a person being arrested and charged with an offence.

Last updated:

08 May 2023

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