A general sentencing guideline could be introduced to help judges, magistrates, prosecutors and defenders confronted with offences that fall outwith specific guidance
The Sentencing Council has launched a consultation on a guideline for sentencing offences such as blackmail, forgery, child abduction, harm to wildlife, planning breaches and immigration offences. It aims to provide a clear structure to follow when sentencing but will leave wide discretion to the courts. It will help courts to deal with rarely seen offences and may be particularly useful for magistrates’ courts which often do not have relevant Court of Appeal judgments to help them with sentencing decisions.
Responses to the General Guideline Consultation must be submitted by 11 September 2018.
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