Wider sentencing options for Tas courts

Courts in Tasmania will be able to fine people without having to convict them if new changes pass parliament.

The state government introduced a bill into parliament on Wednesday, hoping to give courts a wider range of sentencing options.

Currently the law only allows courts to impose a fine where they also formally record a conviction for the offence.

The court might not record a conviction because it "might have significant and disproportionate consequences on the offender," Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said in a statement.

"The amendments contained in this Bill will allow courts to find an offender guilty, decide not to record a conviction for the offence, but impose a fine on the offender," she said.

The government also hopes to phase out suspended sentences.