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Sentencing Act 2002

Sentences, orders, and related matters - Imprisonment - Provisions about start date of sentence of imprisonment

101: Start date of sentence of imprisonment

You could also call this:

"When does your time in prison start?"

Illustration for Sentencing Act 2002

When you get a sentence of imprisonment, it usually starts on a certain date. This date is decided according to what is said in section 76 of the Parole Act 2002, unless section 100 says something different. You should know that some sentences, like those for not paying money or disobeying a court order, are treated as sentences with a fixed end date.

If you are given a sentence for not paying a fine, or for disobeying a court, it is treated like a normal sentence with a set end date. This means it is considered a determinate sentence of imprisonment. The rules about when your sentence starts still apply to you.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM136494.

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Part 2Sentences, orders, and related matters
Imprisonment: Provisions about start date of sentence of imprisonment

101Start date of sentence of imprisonment

  1. Except as provided in section 100, the start date of a sentence of imprisonment is that set out in section 76 of the Parole Act 2002.

  2. For the purpose of this section, a term of imprisonment imposed on an offender (whether by committal, sentence, or order) in respect of the non-payment of a sum of money, contempt of court, or disobedience of a court order is deemed to be a determinate sentence of imprisonment.