Deferred sentence

This is when the final decision about a sentence is postponed to another date for the offender to meet certain requirements. The sentence is usually postponed for between 3 to 12 months. Other conditions can sometimes be added, such as attending counselling or repaying money. The final sentence may be influenced by how the offender has behaved during the period of deferral. 

Originally published on 7 March 2016. Updated on 16 June 2026.