Sentencing and punishment in the UK

Résumé du document

In the UK, there are different judicial institutions, England and Wales share most of them but Scotland and Northern Ireland have some particular legislatures and institutions.

Extraits

[...] We are going to explain the different types of sentences that exist in the UK. First of all, fines are the most common sentence, pronounced in general for small offences. It is often the sentence decided for driving offences, for example. The amount varies according to the gravity of the offence and the earnings of the offender. In the last statistics on the year 2016, fines represent almost 75% of sentences. Otherwise, there are also prisons sentences, but there are 4 different types: -Suspended prison sentences: it means that the stay in jail is delayed for some reasons (such as treating an addiction problem . [...]

[...] After that, the Parole Board could decide on the release of the offender if the detention is not necessary for the protection of the public. However, in the case of "Whole life orders", the offender will never be released from prison. -Being on licence: it means to be free but by respecting some rules, for example, often by wearing an electronic tag. The Court often decided that after the offender spent some time in jail. If the person is considering as no more dangerous for the public, the Court could establish a list of rules for the offender and release him from prison. [...]

[...] -Discharge: this is a very particular decision, this type of verdict is pronounced if the defendant is considered as guilty but the Court considers there is no type of sentence appropriate for him. Most of the time, the Court thinks that the only fact of being taken to the Court is a sufficient punishment. However, if the defendant commits another crime, he could be sentenced for both (the first one and the second). In the last statistics, the discharge represents of sentences. During the last few years, the penitentiary system in the UK is becoming a very controversial topic. [...]

[...] -Determinate prison: in this case, the defendant is sent to prison for a fixed length of time. But this period may be arranged in order to release before the end with some rules to respect such as a HDC (Home Detention Curfew) for example. In the recent news, this May 2018, a young girl's mother was sentenced to 4 years and a half in prison for having force into marriage her daughter in Pakistan. The story dated back to 2011, when the young girl was only 13 years. [...]