There aren't too many crimes with set terms/punishments, once you get too far beyond things like fixed penalties and points on your driving license, that sort of thing.
The various forms of cutting of sentences are all really awkward. There's time off for pleading guilty, because this wastes a lot less time (and a lot less heartache for victims) if there's an incentive to plead guilty. Otherwise, everyone just pleads not guilty. And time off for good behaviour and all that sort of thing. It gets... messy.
I do wish that sentences were reported more openly, however. There's a fair body of opinion these days around reporting "life" sentences as the actual tariff in years, and I wish ordinary sentences were done the same way - 4 years minimum, up to 8 if you don't behave in prison, or whatever.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2007-05-24 04:46 pm (UTC)The various forms of cutting of sentences are all really awkward. There's time off for pleading guilty, because this wastes a lot less time (and a lot less heartache for victims) if there's an incentive to plead guilty. Otherwise, everyone just pleads not guilty. And time off for good behaviour and all that sort of thing. It gets... messy.
I do wish that sentences were reported more openly, however. There's a fair body of opinion these days around reporting "life" sentences as the actual tariff in years, and I wish ordinary sentences were done the same way - 4 years minimum, up to 8 if you don't behave in prison, or whatever.