Sentencing Flashcards
Retribution
It’s aim is to punish the offender - the person has knowingly done wrong and should therefore be punished
Rehabilitation
Helps offender solve their issues that lie behind his or her criminal behaviour - they should avoid committing further offences - anger management classes
Reparation
The offender should ‘make amends’ for their crime - usually they will carry out work in the community or by paying financial compensation - should encourage offender to accept responsibility
Deterrence
Punish criminals in order to deter people from reoffending and thus reducing the number of crimes committed
Denunciation
Society expresses its outrage towards the behaviour of the individual and condemns it - convicted shoplifters are made to stand outside of a shop they have stolen from with a sign proclaiming that they have stolen from there
Protection the public
The idea that prisons remove dangerous criminals from public domain by restricting their liberty
Under the CJA would can the court do?
Pass a custodial sentence if they think that the offence was serious that neither a fine alone nor a community sentence can be justified for it
What is a mandatory sentence?
The only sentence that can be passed for murder is life imprisonment
What lays down minimum sentences for some crimes?
The powers of criminal courts (sentencing) act 2000
What is the minimum sentence for class A drug trafficking?
7 years
What is the minimum sentence for a third conviction of domestic burglary?
3 years
Who will be released after only serving half their sentence?
Those sentences to less than 4 years
Who will have to serve 2/3 of their sentences?
Those will longer than 4 years
What happens when someone is released?
They remain on licence for the remainder of their sentences
Who can apply for parole?
Those sentenced to life
In exceptional circumstances, how long may a suspended prison sentence vary?
6 months - 2 years
What happens to the person if they have a suspended prison sentence?
Offender obliged to carry out work in community and must by commit any further offences during the time the Semtex is suspended
What happens if the offender commits another crime while on a suspended prison sentence?
He or she will have to serve the sentence in prison