sentencing

• How are juries selected in the UK?

  From the electoral register, ages 18-75
• What is jury vetting?

  Checking the background of potential jurors
• How many people sit on a criminal jury?

  12
• Who is not eligible to sit on a jury?

  Those with a mental disorder or disqualification
• What is a majority verdict?

  11-1 or 10-2 decision
• What is the jury's role in a criminal trial?

  Decide the verdict of the defendant
• What are the categories of sentences in the UK?

  • Custodial Sentences
  • Community Sentences
  • Fines
  • Discharges
• What are custodial sentences used for?

  Most serious crimes/offenders
• What is a mandatory sentence?

  No flexibility in sentencing
• What is the minimum term served for murder?

  Ranges from 12 years to whole life
• What are whole life orders?

  For serious/persistent offenders, extremely rare
• What is Harpers Law?

  Mandatory life sentences for killing emergency workers
• What is a discretionary sentence?

  Judge has discretion on time served
• What is an indeterminate sentence?

  Minimum time set before parole eligibility
• What is a suspended sentence?

  Custodial sentence does not take effect immediately
• What is the maximum duration for a suspended sentence?

  Up to 2 years
• What does the Sentencing Council publish?

  Figures about custodial sentences
• How many defendants received custodial sentences in June 2023-2024?

  75,342 defendants
• What are community sentences designed to do?

  • Combine punishment with community activities
  • Address reasons for offending
  • Help break the cycle of reoffending
• What is the unpaid work requirement in community sentences?

  Up to 300 hours of unpaid work
• What is the activity requirement in community sentences?

  Developing skills or making amends
• What is the programme requirement in community sentences?

  Help challenge offending behaviour
• What is the curfew requirement in community sentences?

  2–12 hours in a 24-hour period
• What is the maximum duration for a curfew requirement?

  1. 6 months
• What is the maximum percentage of offenders receiving fines in Magistrates' court?

  79% of all offenders
• What factors determine the amount of a fine?

  Seriousness of the offence and offender's means
• What is the maximum fine the Magistrates can impose?

  Unlimited for offences after March 2015
• What is the maximum fine the Crown Court can impose?

  Unlimited fines
• What are discharges in sentencing?

  Can be conditional or absolute
• What is a conditional discharge?

  Discharged if no further offence within 3 years
• What was the outcome of R v Whitehead [1979]?

  Conditional discharge for shoplifting due to circumstances
• What are the aims of sentencing adult offenders?

  • Retribution
  • Deterrence
  • Rehabilitation
  • Public protection
• What are the types of sentences available for adults?

  • Custodial sentences
  • Community sentences
  • Fines
  • Discharges
• What is the maximum sentence for theft?

  Depends on the value of the stolen item
• How much is the sentence reduced by for pleading guilty early?

  Up to one-third
• What are the four types of custodial sentence?

  Mandatory, discretionary, indeterminate, suspended
• Who was given a whole life order?

  Bellfield and Dennehy
• How long do you have to declare your convictions?

  Depends on the type of conviction
• What are aggravating and mitigating factors in sentencing?

  • Aggravating factors: increase severity of sentence
  • Mitigating factors: decrease severity of sentence
• What is the significance of the Sentencing Council's website?

  • Provides guidelines for sentencing
  • Offers statistics on offences and sentences