The Sentencing Guidelines Council's role is to encourage consistency of sentencing in all Courts in England and Wales, supporting Judges and Magistrates in their decision-making. It is an independent body with both judicial and non-judicial members, chaired by the Lord Chief Justice.
The Council receives advice from the Sentencing Advisory Panel on a particular sentencing topic and uses this to formulate sentencing guidelines on the subject. Here you will find the guidelines produced to encourage consistency in sentencing throughout England & Wales.
It is useful to refer to this site regularly, as consultations and updated guidelines are frequently posted:-
www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk
Current Consultation/Sentencing: http://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/sentencing/consultations-current.htm
KEN CLARKE ADDRESSES THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON SENTENCING...He has been accused of a 'U-turn' on Knife Crime! Here's the live address to Government on 7th December, 2010 to Judge for yourself: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9264000/9264253.stm
YOU BE THE JUDGE...Making Sense of Criminal Justice by trying this interative guide to Sentencing...
Confused by sentencing? You be the Judge gives you an opportunity to sit in the judge's chair, to help demystify sentencing decisions.
Visit You be the Judge and you can choose from four scenarios based on real-life cases, each video lasting about six minutes. You can choose from cases of criminal damage, burglary, threatening behaviour and robbery.
You will hear the facts of the case, weigh up the aggravating and mitigating factors, and consider the offender's circumstances and the sentencing guidelines. As the judge, you get to choose the sentence and compare it to the actual sentence given. You'll also get to see what other people chose.
Thousands of people have already used the site, and interestingly their sentences are often more lenient than those given in court.
E. & O.E.