Other people will see people getting punished and be put off of offending.
Requires media reporting of sentences to get the message across
specific
Nota:
specific to the offender - they are punished and therefore will be less likely to re-offend in the future
reform/rehabilitation
Nota:
the offender is taught to change their behaviour.
This may be through education programs, in and out of prison
May be through community work
May be drugs and alcohol treatment programs
punishment/ retribution
Nota:
to show society's disapproval.
Long prison sentence, high value fine.
reparation
Nota:
offender pays something back to society
May be made to carry out unpaid work in the community
Or pay criminal compensation direct to the victim
protection of public
Nota:
where the offender is prevented from being able to commit future crime
Prison sentences or driving bans
range of sentences
Custodial sentences
suspended sentence
Nota:
D does not go straight to prison but is told that if they commit any further offences they will serve this sentence ADDED to any new sentence
prison sentence
Nota:
defendant will serve time in prison
Can be anything from a couple of weeks to Life.
life sentence
Nota:
murder has a MANDATORY life sentence
Other serious offenders may get a DISCRETIONARY life sentence if the judge feels it is appropriate - EG rape, armed robbery
Fines
financial penalty
Nota:
The offender must pay a fixed amount
The amount will depend on the offence and the ability of the offender to pay.
community sentence
unpaid work
Nota:
the offender may be asked to do unpaid work in their community,
EG picking up litter or removing graffiti
rehabilitation order
Nota:
offender may be instructed to attend drugs and alcohol treatment.
May be asked to attend anger management classes.
discharges
unconditional
Nota:
although found guilty there is no punishment.
The offender is free to go.
The process of the trial has been punishment enough for them
conditional
Nota:
the offender agrees not to re-offend within a certain time period. They may be monitored
Factors in sentencing
aggravating factors
things which make a sentence seem worse
Nota:
EG, violence
weapon used
racially motivated
vulnerable victim
previous convitions
mitigating
things which excuse the defendant
Nota:
eg
offender is young
the victim provoked the offender
the offender is from a difficult background
Previous good character - no convictions
sentencing guidelines
statutory minimum sentence?
Nota:
some crimes have a legal minimum sentence.
EG murder - compulsary life sentence
evaluation
Nota:
you may be asked to justify aggravating and mitigating factors.
WHY do we sentence harsher for racially aggravated or violent offences? WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?
youth Sentencing
aim of youth sentencing
to prevent future crime
youth custodial sentences
secure childrens' home
Nota:
run by local authorities.
Children are closely watched and have limited contact with their families.
Vulnerable children may stay until 15 or 16.
Others may move on at 14
ages 10-15
training centre
Nota:
a prison-like environment, often
Focus on training, education and changing behaviour
ages 14-17
Young offenders'
Insitution
Nota:
very like adult prison
Prisoners in cells, training programmes and education are offered.
At 21 offenders are moved to adult prisons
ages 17-20
Youth Community sentences
referral orders
for first offenders
Nota:
the young person and their parents agree to a behaviour contract
reparation orders
unpaid work
Nota:
the young offender does some unpaid work in the community
Youth rehabilition order
Nota:
the courts will pick from a wide range of rehabilitation options to help the offender change their behaviour-
Drugs and alcohol treatment
Foster care order
Banning from certain areas
Curfew - being home at a certain time
plus many more!