Class 5 - Criminal proceedings

Proceedings in Class 5 involve:

Criminal proceedings

Proceeedings

Proceedings in Class 5 involve summary criminal enforcement proceedings, usually by government authorities prosecuting offences against planning or environmental laws.

Class 5 prosecutions are heard by a judge without a jury.

Practice and procedure

Practice and procedure in Class 5 matters can be found in Practice Note Class 5 proceedings. (PDF , 218.7 KB)

Fast facts

Of the new prosecutions commenced in 2019:

32% were by the Environment Protection Authority or Office of Environment and Heritage
4% were by local councils
21% were by the Department of Planning and Environment
38% were by the Natural Resources Access Regulator.

Of the prosecutions determined by the Court in 2019:

63% involved a guilty plea
10% involved a not guilty plea
28% involved no plea.

Of the prosecutions determined by the Court in 2019:

65% resulted in a conviction
32% resulted in an acquittal

The penalties imposed included fines, orders to pay clean up or investigation costs, publication orders and environmental service orders. Fines ranged from $500 to $348,750.

In 2019, 80% of Class 5 prosecutions were finalised within 16 months of commencement. The median completion time was 374 days.

In 2019, Class 5 prosecutions were 7% of the Court's finalised caseload.