The Sentencing Council for England and Wales promotes greater consistency in sentencing, whilst maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The Council produces guidelines on sentencing for the judiciary and criminal justice professionals and aims to increase public understanding of sentencing.
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How offenders are sentenced in England and Wales
For an overview of how offenders are sentenced, take a look at this short video which gives the basics on what kinds of sentence there are and how judges and magistrates decide what sentence to give.
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Latest from the Sentencing Council
Consultation launched on General guideline for offences not covered by specific guidance
19 June 2018The Sentencing Council has launched a consultation on a General sentencing guideline for use when sentencing offences for which there is Read More
Sentencing Council launches new definitive guideline on breach offences
7 June 2018The Sentencing Council has published a definitive guideline on breach offences. The new guideline, which has been issued following a Read More
Drug offences sentencing guideline assessment published
1 June 2018The Council has published an assessment of its drug offences sentencing guideline which came into force in February 2012. It Read More