Law and Rights
The Times, which is unfortunately hidden behind a "pay wall", reports that there are plans to reward those who admit their crimes at the first possible stage. Under present sentencing guidelines a discount on sentence of up to one-third is available to the defendant who pleads guilty at the first court appearance. The idea appears to be that even more discount will be available to those who admit their guilt to the Police. Thus, a sliding scale of discounts will apply.
Whilst this is supported by a number of senior lawyers including Lord Justice Leveson (Chairman of the Sentencing Council), some lawyers are warning that persons in custody should not be offered greater discounts because it may result in false confessions or in the Police not investigating cases fully. Certainly, a large reduction in sentence is a powerful incentive to admit guilt. Within the Crown Court system there is considerable concern at the numbers who plead guilty on the day of trial having run up considerable costs in case preparation. In the Crown Court over 70% of cases are guilty pleas.
Although this is reported in the media, it appears that the Sentencing Council is considering the idea and proposals will go out to public consultation later - see London Evening Standard.
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Law and Rights
Time off for early admission of guilt
Whilst this is supported by a number of senior lawyers including Lord Justice Leveson (Chairman of the Sentencing Council), some lawyers are warning that persons in custody should not be offered greater discounts because it may result in false confessions or in the Police not investigating cases fully. Certainly, a large reduction in sentence is a powerful incentive to admit guilt. Within the Crown Court system there is considerable concern at the numbers who plead guilty on the day of trial having run up considerable costs in case preparation. In the Crown Court over 70% of cases are guilty pleas.
Although this is reported in the media, it appears that the Sentencing Council is considering the idea and proposals will go out to public consultation later - see London Evening Standard.
- The Daily Mail Asks A Good Question ....
The Daily Mail 24th January asks why a "violent thug" - named as Vitalijis Zavjaloves (aged 22) - did not receive a sentence of imprisonment for his attack on Brian Gallagher in Wigan town centre last December. It is a fair question. ...
- Just Wondering ... Sentencing Of Justin Lee Collins
The Guardian asked - "Why did Justin Lee Collins get such a lenient sentence?" Justin Lee Collins - a comedian and TV presenter - was sentenced to 140 hours unpaid work in respect of an offence involving harassment of Anna Larke with...
- Unduly Lenient Sentences: A Useful Power; Well Used
Rt. Hon Dominic Grieve QC MPThe Criminal Justice Act 1988 s.36 - (1) If it appears to the Attorney General - (a) that the sentencing of a person in a proceeding in the Crown Court has been unduly lenient; and (b) that the case is one to which this Part...
- Kicking The "rhino's Skin" ... (the Discomfiture Of Mr Clarke) - Dna Profiles - The Stephen Lawrence Murder
Breaking the Cycle and discount for guilty plea: In December 2010 Law and Lawyers looked at the White Paper - "Breaking the Cycle ...." - which set out the government's thinking on reforms to the ways in which offenders are dealt with. One...
- Judges Critical Of Clarke's Proposals For Sentencing Reform
It is reported that the judges are critical of aspects of the sentencing proposals which have been put forward by Kenneth Clarke QC MP (the Secretary of State for Justice) in the green paper "Breaking the Cycle" - looked at on this blog last December. ...