spindrift Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 Of course I did, because many people have noted the wild disparity in sentencing, that's the whole point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llamatron Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 and so SOME acts are treated very differently to others. Some acts bring the full forces of law and order down upon the criminal. Others with far worse outcomes don't even make it to court. yes they are and?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quisquose Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Of course I did, because many people have noted the wild disparity in sentencing, that's the whole point. If the idiot that delibrately drove his car into a crowd of people only gets 32 months, or less, then you will have a point: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11560271 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decaff Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 The Act of Parliament is one thing, how it is interpreted by the judge is a completely separate thing. That is why we have so many different sentences etc. The English legal system works on a system of precedent so if there is a case in a high level court and an identical one in a lower court, the outcome will be the same. However it is very rare that we have two identical cases, hence the reason why decisions/sentences etc vary so much. Decisions are only based in part on the actual Act of Parliament. The reason why judges have security of tenure, years of training etc is so they can make up their own mind about sentences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 yes they are and?...... And so that's the point of the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llamatron Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 And so that's the point of the thread. you haven't made a point, all you have shown is that different crimes are sentenced differently! yes they are! and? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 If the idiot that delibrately drove his car into a crowd of people only gets 32 months, or less, then you will have a point: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11560271 That's not a straightforward comparison since the car was stolen and the student claimed he deliberately missed hitting anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 you haven't made a point, all you have shown is that different crimes are sentenced differently! yes they are! and? Very similar crimes actually, the point being when there is a lack of consistently in how the courts treat reckless stupidity that runs the real risk of hurting or killing someone then there is no real deterrent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decaff Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 The Act of Parliament is one thing, how it is interpreted by the judge is a completely separate thing. That is why we have so many different sentences etc. The English legal system works on a system of precedent so if there is a case in a high level court and an identical one in a lower court, the outcome will be the same. However it is very rare that we have two identical cases, hence the reason why decisions/sentences etc vary so much. Decisions are only based in part on the actual Act of Parliament. The reason why judges have security of tenure, years of training etc is so they can make up their own mind about sentences. Very similar crimes actually, the point being when there is a lack of consistently in how the courts treat reckless stupidity that runs the real risk of hurting or killing someone then there is no real deterrent. Crimes may be similar but hard facts, mitigating circumstances, defences etc are very rarely similar, that is why sentences vary so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hots on Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Very similar crimes actually, the point being when there is a lack of consistently in how the courts treat reckless stupidity that runs the real risk of hurting or killing someone then there is no real deterrent. Every incident has a unique set of circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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