NCJ Number
175201
Editor(s)
B Gibson
Date Published
1995
Length
160 pages
Annotation
This manual is intended to provide an understanding of the law and practice of sentencing in magistrates courts in England and Wales and is intended for use by newly appointed justices of the peace and other people concerned with the sentencing of offenders in summary proceedings.
Abstract
The text was compiled by experienced magistrates' training personnel under the auspices of the Justices' Clerks' Society. It aims to provide a reference for new magistrates as they undertake their basic training and begin the task of sentencing, to assist trainers by allowing them to focus on imparting skills, to provide an accessible reference for magistrates generally, and to inform other court users and students about sentencing decisions in magistrates' courts. Individual sections provide an overview of general considerations and explain the four levels of sentences: discharges, fines, community sentences, and custody. Further sections discuss victim compensation, other orders of the courts, issues related to previous convictions, traffic law offenses, pre-sentence reports, early release, magistrates' powers related to persons with mental disorders, and the role of the legal advisor. Figures, index, and appended guidelines and background information