New rules proposed for repeat juvenile offenders

An estimated 40 repeat juvenile offenders will face severe penalties if they commit another serious offence under legislation released today by the State Government.

Premier Carmen Lawrence said the legislation would be introduced at the special sitting of State Parliament on February 5.

"This legislation has been meticulously drafted to ensure that it is aimed only at those repeat and serious offenders who are a danger to our society," Dr Lawrence said.

"Its provisions include giving the Supreme Court the right to decide when young repeat violent offenders should be released and an intensive program of rehabilitation during detention.  A new system to supervise serious offenders after release will also be established.

"Appropriate cases will be dealt with by the Director of Public Prosecutions."

The Premier said the new rules would create a deterrent against continued offending because there would be a clear incentive for young offenders to escape the cycle of repeated offending by staying out of trouble for at least 18 months.

"It must be stressed that these measures are aimed at only the most serious offenders who represent a minute fraction of the total number of juvenile offenders.  For the majority, the Government's emphasis on prevention, diversion and rehabilitation will continue to be vigorously pursued," Dr Lawrence said.

The two Bills to be presented to Parliament included a new offence of reckless or dangerous driving in a stolen vehicle, which would have a maximum penalty of eight years' imprisonment.

Dangerous driving causing death or grievous bodily harm (life-threatening or resulting in permanent injury) would attract a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.

"The community cannot tolerate a situation where a small number of people in stolen vehicles repeatedly threaten innocent citizens with death or serious injury - they must be taken off the roads," Dr Lawrence said.

The declaration of a juvenile as a repeat offender would be triggered by a record of six or more conviction appearances for serious offences in 18 months or three or more conviction appearances for serious violent offences in the same period.

Those in the violent category would receive a minimum 18 months' detention and would only be released by decision of the Supreme Court.

There would also be a new supervision system for juvenile repeat offenders which would closely monitor them on release.

"The major change in dealing with repeat juvenile offenders and those committing serious offences involving stolen vehicles is that the court's approach to sentencing will be changed," Dr Lawrence said.

"Under the current system, the primary consideration of courts dealing with juveniles is the rehabilitation and future welfare of the offender.

"Under the new provisions the courts will be obliged to impose a sentence according to guidelines which place greater emphasis on the protection of the public, the effects of the crime on the victim and the criminal history of the offender.

"This will result in more severe sentences.

"Although this will reduce the threat these offenders pose to society, I emphasise that we are not locking them up and throwing away the key.  They will be subject to intensive rehabilitation programs and on release will be monitored by a parole system, in addition to other measures such as a mentor program to help them break the repeat and serious offender cycle," Dr Lawrence said.