Quote:
Originally Posted by bitontheslide
the sentences are all determined by cold, hard guidelines that judges are allowed to adjust by agreed margins depending on specific circumstances. It's done this way for consistency. So, while we may subjectively say thats lenient or thats harsh, there is very little room for manoeuvre regarding sentences
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…I understand how that used to always be the way…that the law is not an emotional beast as it were…but more and more, in high profile/media cases were hearing the court victim/family impact statements being detailed…that’s kind of what set my thoughts going this morning in reading part of such a statement… we’re actually told ….’It will be taken into account by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case and it can play a key part in sentencing….’…so that kind of doesn’t really line up with there being very little room to manoeuvre in sentencing if the sentencing can’t fit all aspects of the crime….and it also doesn’t fit with the impact statements ‘playing a key part’ either….