Mandatory sentencing : the individual and social costs / Cumaraswamy, Dato' Param.

Sydney : UNSW, 2001.

199501

Sentences (Criminal procedure)

Crime prevention.

Mandatory sentences.

The current controversy with respect to mandatory minimum sentencing laws takes place within a wider context of a general discussion on sentencing reform. This discussion has generally focused on how to improve the effectiveness of sentencing practices, what the principal objectives of sentencing are and a determination of what the appropriate balance between those objectives should be. It has also addressed the need to promote greater conformity in judicial sentencing. As a result, many governments have introduced legislation that restricts judicial discretion in sentencing or regulates the exercise of the sentencing function. Reforms that have been introduced include "truth in sentencing", the introduction of sentencing guidelines, the creation of a sentencing commission and, more recently, the prescription of mandatory minimum sentences. - Extract from introduction.

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