The Government believes the scheme has been a success - but Wanganui criminal lawyer Stephen Ross branded it "just another a tax on people who can least afford it".
"Most offenders fit a profile - low socio-economic, deprived," he said.
"The Government should be supporting victims, anyway.
"The levy's just another penalty, an administrative penalty, unrelated to the circumstances of the offending."
The majority of offenders did not understand why the levy was imposed, he said.
"It isn't talked about in court, so most offenders just see it as another part of their fine or penalty."
In response, a spokeswoman for Justice Minister Amy Adams said the levy was an important part of the government's programme to put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system through the funding of additional entitlements and services for victims of serious crime.
Nationally, more than $16.5 million has been collected in offender levies in the past four financial years, and 78 per cent of levies had been paid as of December.
A single levy is imposed at each sentencing, irrespective of the number of offences. Offender levies cannot be collected from prisoners but they would be required to pay on release.
Notice of the offender levy is posted at the door to all courtrooms around the country.
The ministry said the money would be used to fund eight additional entitlements and services for victims of serious crime, including an enhanced homicide support service. The service would provide four paid homicide support co-ordinators to work with Victim Support's volunteer network.
