criminal court powers and sentencing of adult offenders

Question 1

maximum sentencing powers of magistrates

Answer 1

• NO MAX FINE
• one offence- 6 months
• 2 offences- 12 months

Question 2

maximum sentencing powers of judges in CC

Answer 2

-5 years imprisonments and/or fine (no max)

Question 3

aim of punishment

Answer 3

-offenders provide remedies to their victims or community, so can be compensation or community service

Question 4

aim of deterrence (individual and general)

Answer 4

individual- putting individuals off re-offending again

general- putting general public off committing crimes

Question 5

aim of rehabilitation

Answer 5

reform offender, make them less likely to perform crimes again
(difficult in overcrowded prisons)

Question 6

aim of public protection

Answer 6

aimed at preventing offender from harming public (achieved by custodial sentence, prison is expensive)

Question 7

aim or reparation

Answer 7

making amends for offence or harm done, give back to community

Question 8

aggravating factors magistrates or judges take into account when sentencing

Answer 8

• vulnerable victim
• previous conviction
• breach of position of trust
• use of weapon
• racially motivated/ gangs

Question 9

mitigating factors magistrates or judges take into account when sentencing

Answer 9

• young defendant
• no previous convictions
• early guilty plea (up to a third decreased)
• showed remorse
• attempts to compensate victim