Victorian DPP warns judges of get-tough campaign

Victoria's chief prosecutor has launched an extraordinary attack on the judiciary, saying "inadequate" sentences are being handed down.

Victoria's chief prosecutor has launched an extraordinary attack on the judiciary, saying "inadequate" sentences are being handed down.

Jeremy Rapke QC released a statement warning judges and defendants all lawyers working on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions would from today "argue for higher sentences" in cases of aggravated burglary.

He said the median jail sentence for aggravated burglary since 2000 was just two years despite the maximum penalty set by parliament being 25 years.

Mr Rapke said this "challenge to current sentencing practices" was the first of a "long-term program" to address inadequate sentences for rape, child abuse, intentionally causing serious injury and some drug offences.

"Prosecutors acting on behalf of the DPP will argue at plea hearings of aggravated burglary cases that the courts need to have greater regard to the maximum penalty fixed by parliament and not be constrained by current sentencing practices."

He would also write to defendants in aggravated burglary cases so they could take this tough stance into account when deciding how to plead.

Coming three months before the state election, Mr Rapke's public stance will no doubt have political ramifications.

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Robert Clark said Mr Rapke's comments showed how out of touch sentencing practices were with the community.

"This is extraordinary criticism by the Director of Public Prosecutions of weak sentences for serious offences after 11 years of Labor," Mr Clark said. "And shows yet again that violent and dangerous criminals are escaping with a slap on the wrist under Premier John Brumby's weak and soft sentencing laws."

Mr Brumby said he had not seen Mr Rapke's statement but the community would agree with the prosecutor's views.

"I've consistently said that the courts need to properly reflect community attitudes," he said.