Queenslanders can improve their understanding of the state's criminal justice system thanks to a new virtual courtroom.
"Judge for Yourself", a website launched by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council on Thursday, allows users to hear evidence in three different cases and decide the appropriate punishment.
Former Supreme Court judge George Fryberg said he hoped the website would break down the misconception the system and judges were dysfunctional.
"Too often the public is misled by inadequate descriptions of sentences, particularly in cases of violence," Mr Fryberg said.
"Space and time seldom permit a comprehensive (media) report."
Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the best way to improve community confidence in the justice system was to teach people how it worked.
"We have thousands of people sentenced every year, a very small percentage go on to appeal and an even smaller percentage of those are overturned," Ms D'Ath said.
"So the majority of sentences are never challenged and are accepted by the victims, the offenders and the broader public.
"But there is a misconception out there about whether some sentences are too harsh or too lenient."
Council member Dan Rogers said sentencing was a complex exercise and judges had to balance many competing considerations.
"Research has shown when the community actual has the facts, their sentences are slightly more lenient than judges," Mr Rogers said.
"The reality is the judges are not out of touch."
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