Transcript Types of sentences

Sentencing II
Custodial sentences
Community sentences
Fines
Discharges
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Custodial Sentences
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The most serious punishment
that a court can impose
Range from ‘weekend’ prison
to life imprisonment
Meant only for the most
serious offences
Custodial Sentences
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The main types of custodial
sentence for adults:
Mandatory life sentences:
Murder carries a mandatory life
sentence, ranging from 12 years
to a full life term
Discretionary life sentences:
where the judge can impose life,
but does not have to, e.g. rape or
manslaughter
Custodial Sentences
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Fixed term sentences:
imprisonment for a set
number of months or years,
for those aged 21+
Intermittent custody:
where the defendant spends
weekends or other periods
in prison, but is free for the
rest of the time
Custodial Sentences
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Suspended sentences:
where the offender will
only serve time in prison if
he/she breaches the terms
of the suspension, any
time between 6 months
and 2 years
Community Sentences
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Where the offender is
required to meet certain
requirements in the
community
Can be anything from an
unpaid work requirement
(e.g. litter picking)…
…to a curfew
…or a drug/alcohol
rehabilitation requirement
Fines
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This is the most common form
of sentencing in the
Magistrates’ Court
Magistrates can impose a
maximum fine of £5000 on an
individual, or £20,000 on a
business
Fines are sometimes used in
the Crown Court, but this is
quite rare
Discharges
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These may be a conditional or an absolute
discharge
Conditional discharge means that the
court discharges an offender on the
condition that no further offence is
committed during a set period of up to 3
years
Absolute discharge means that no
penalty is imposed, likely to be used where
the defendant is technically guilty but
morally blameless