The community service sentence was introduced in February 1981 and may include from 8 to 200 hours of service. Almost one-third of the people sentenced to community service during the study period were women, although women make up only one-seventh of all offenders. More Maoris were sentenced to community service than would be expected. People given this sentence were mainly young. Most had pleaded guilty at the court appearance in which they received community service. Just over half the group received an additional sentence of probation, suspension of driver's license, or fine. About a quarter of the offenders received probation, generally for a year or less. Additional probation sentences were not associated with more serious offenses. Over a quarter of the offenders also had their driver's licenses suspended, with the average suspension lasting 1 year. Very few people were fined. The average fine was $300. Data tables and figures are included.