In cases where there are multiple victims of a single offender processes within the criminal justice system are often slower. With large trials, it can also be difficult finding available dates for trial. Victims often express frustration at the amount of time a matter takes to get to trial stage and it is the role of the Witness Assistants to attempt to ease their frustration and distress.

Plans for 2013 – 2014 financial year

During the next 12 months, the Witness Assistants will be undertaking further training specific to the needs of the Office, to enhance the skill set of the Witness Assistants in providing a quality service to the WAS clients.

Confiscation of Criminal Assets

The Confiscation of Criminal Assets Act 2003 has proven to be an effective tool in the fight against serious crime. The Office continues to pursue the restraint and forfeiture of property in cases where there is clear evidence that property was either used in the commission of an offence, or where the property is the proceeds of crime. Restraint and forfeiture of property can act as a significant deterrent to criminal activity.

The Office commonly pursues the restraint and forfeiture of houses used in relation to the cultivation of marijuana, cars used in relation to robberies and burglaries, cash being the proceeds of drug trafficking, and electronic equipment used in relation to child pornography.

In the latest reporting period, six residential properties have been the subject of restraining orders, with two properties being subject to conviction forfeiture orders and a third the subject of a substantial settlement to discharge the forfeiture action on the house. Most of the confiscated assets relate to drug trafficking and cultivation, and fraud matters. Other property confiscated includes a vehicle used in an armed robbery, and a vehicle used to facilitate a sexual assault.

There was a significant increase in the number of matters pursued in the last financial year, as well as the value of the restrained and forfeited property. This increase was due to a number of large drug trafficking matters coming before the courts, clearing a back log of matters, and regular listing dates for COCA matters in the Magistrates Court.

During the reporting period the following activity took place:

• Number of matters referred from the AFP to the DPP – 43 (up from 14 last period)
• Applications made – 40
• Value of applications made – $3, 450,774.00
• Value of Restrained Property – $2,473,330.00 (up from $1,273,890.00)
• Value of Forfeited property – (includes matters which were subject to restraining orders and subsequently forfeited upon conviction) $1,870,774 (up from $549,572.83).
• Applications to restrain property – 15
• Applications for conviction forfeiture orders – 25
• Applications for buy back order – 1 (agreed by the Office – the matter of Wheeler).
• Application for unclaimed property – nil