78030 Criminal Sentencing Law

Description

The law of sentencing is a critical aspect of the criminal justice system, given that most matters go uncontested and result in a guilty plea. Sentencing law is also one of the most interesting aspects of criminal law and procedure. Students begin this subject with a brief revision of how the criminal justice system operates. Sentencing in the Local, District and Supreme Courts is then explored with a focus on how the law is applied in practice and what is expected of lawyers, prosecutors and judges during the sentencing process. Students consider the purposes of sentencing and factors that the court may consider when exercising its discretion in the sentencing exercise. Students also examine a number of specific topics such as mandatory sentencing, the drug court, preventative detention, alternatives to traditional approaches to sentencing and the sentencing of Indigenous and juvenile offenders.