This chapter examines trends in the number of prosecutions and in the number of convictions for all offences except traffic offences for each year from 1988 to 1997. The information presented in this chapter is based on the number of charges processed by courts. The relationship between all offences committed, and offences prosecuted in court, is difficult to determine. Not all offences that are committed are discovered by, reported to, or recorded by the Police. Young et al.
Fluctuations occur in the number of convictions for different offences from year to year.
It is often not clear whether fluctuations in the number of convictions are attributable to an actual change in offending, or whether other factors are responsible. Legislative changes may also affect the number of convictions for various offences. A large part of the decrease in convictions between 1996 and 1997 was due to a legislative change. This is discussed further below. 2.2 Outcomes of prosecutions for all offences except traffic offences Table 2.1 and Figure 2.1 present information on the outcome of prosecutions for all offences except traffic offences between 1988 and 1997.