sentencing

Question 1

what is the sentence for murder?

Answer 1

a mandatory life sentence, this means that the judge has to give this sentence and has no lee way with it

Question 2

what is the difference with an under 18 committing murder

Answer 2

an over 18 has a life sentence
an under 18 will be detained at his majestys pleasure, this means the judge has no discretion to change the sentence

Question 3

what does a mandatory sentence mean?

Answer 3

it means that the judge cannot change the starting point of a sentence, the defendant can put forward a special defence of loss of control or diminished responsibility, to reduce the sentence
the judge can set a minimum number of years that the offender must serve before they can apply for release

Question 4

what does the criminal justice act 2003 set out?

Answer 4

whole of life sentence (premed killing of 2 or more, or more sadistic or sexual child killing)
30 years (murder of police, or prison officers, sexual or sadistic killings)
15 years (other types of murders)