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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

Magistrates’ Court Sentencing guidelines come into effect

24 April 2017

The revised guidelines in the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines have come into effect today (24 April 2017). The online Magistrates’ Read More

Changes to fine levels for speeding

21 April 2017

New sentencing guidelines for magistrates come into force on 24 April 2017 following their publication earlier this year. One of Read More

New judicial appointment to the Sentencing Council

1 April 2017

A new judicial member has been appointed to the Sentencing Council by the Lord Chief Justice, with the agreement of Read More

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