Chapter 12: Sentencing Flashcards
Sentencing Guidelines
Prescribed penalty by law.
“Why do we punish those who violate the law?”
Retributive Justification (desert based)
Utilitarian Justification (result based)
Retributive Justification for punishment
The wicked should pay for their actions.
“…because man is responsible for his actions, he ought to receive is ‘just deserts.’”
Utilitarian Justification for punishment
To prevent further crime in the future
For the means of…
-deterrence
-incapacitation
-rehabilitation
Basis for Retributive Justification
- There’s something intrinsically good about seeing the guilty suffer.
2) All members of society agree to follow rules that govern society – maintain equilibrium
Unlike the _____________ _____________ theory (aka the “_________ ________”) which is ____________-_____________, the ____________ _____________ is ___________-____________.
retributive justification; desert theory; backward-looking; utilitarian justification; forward-looking
The Utilitarian Justification believes, that if no “__________ _________” arise from punishment, then punishment isn’t _____________.
good consequences; justifiable
People commit crimes based on a ___________ __________ that the _________ outweigh the ________________.
rational calculation; benefits; cost
Deterrence
Suggest criminals would refrain from committing crime if the cost outweighs the benefits.
Specific deterrence
Someone who has been legally punished ceases criminal activity in fear of future punishment.
General deterrence
Offender learns of consequences for criminal conduct, and stops to not risk punishment.
Incapacitation
Locking up / isolation dangerous offenders to prevent crime in the future.
Collective Incapacitation
Incapacitation of all offenders without regard to their past/personal characteristics.
(i.e. lock up drug sellers, rapist, and robbers alike)
Selective Incapacitation
Incapacitating those who, when free, commit the most crimes.
Rehabilitation
Changing offender’s character, habits, behavior patterns to diminish criminal propensities.
Restoration (Restorative Justice)
views punishment as a means to repair harm/injury of the crime & focuses on the victim, community, and offender.
How is restorative justice usually facilitated
Meeting between…
- Victim and Victim’s Family
- Offender and Offender’s Family
- Community
People engaging in restorative justice discuss the _________ the crime had on the _____________, _____________, and ______________, and decide an appropriate _____________.
impact; victim; offender; community; sanction
Principle of Proportionality (Retributive)
The punishment the offender receives should be proportionate to the harm caused by the offender.
“The punishment should fit the crime.”
Mirror Image Theory
The idea that punishment should resemble the actions done by the defendant.
T/F: The Mirror Image Theory is not consistent with the Desert Theory?
True
Woman runs red lights, hits person and breaks their legs.
That doesn’t mean the offender should have both of their legs broken. That would be too severe.
How Retributive Theory ranks Crime
Based on…
1) Harm done or risked by offender
2) Culpability of the offender
Deterrence punishment, for the Utilitarian Approach, believes the punishment should be _______ enough to __________ the _________, and _______-___ __________ from committing crime again or for the first time. The _______ should outweigh the __________
harsh; deter; offender; would-be offenders; cost; benefit
Incapacitation punishment, for the Utilitarian Approach, believes the punishment should be ___________ to the _____________ posed by the offender.
risk; posed
Rehabilitation punishment, for the Utilitarian Approach, is based on what is _________ to ___________ the offender. In this case, offenders will punished (________) with _______________ treatment programs to alter the __________ that cause their __________.
needed; reform; treated; individualized; forces; criminality
In sum, the three Utilitarian Justification perspectives establish that an offender’s punishment should be tailored to the offender’s 1) __________ of __________, 2) _______________, or 3) ___________ for ____________.
likelihood of recidivism; dangerousness; need for treatment
The judge’s options at _______________ are more ________ if the offender’s crime is more __________, and if he has a ______________ prior _____________ __________.
sentencing; limited; serious; lengthy; criminal record
The __________ ____________ is imposed almost EXCLUSIVELY for _________-_______ _____________.
Death Penalty; First-Degree Murder