Sentencing and Court Powers

Sentencing is any punishment given to an offender who has been convicted. An adult offender is anyone aged 21 years or older who has been convicted of an offence.

Aims of Sentencing

The aim of a sentence is what exactly it is trying to achieve. Under s.142 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, there are five basic aims of sentencing for adult offenders, and any court dealing with an offender in respect of their offence must have regard to:

'(a) the punishment of offenders

(b) the reduction of crime (inc. reduction by deterrrence)

(c) the reform and rehabilitation of offenders

(d) the protection of the public, and 

(e) the making of repartion by offenders to persons affected by their offences'

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