West Yorkshire charity back sentencing plans
A West Yorkshire Charity is welcoming plans to slash prison sentences by a third - for those who plead guilty.
A West Yorkshire Charity is welcoming plans to slash prison sentences by a third - for those who plead guilty.
Victim Support believes that the proposals will spare victims of crime the stress and anxiety of a trial.
The new draft guidelines from The Sentencing Council set out what they say is a clearer, fairer and more consistent approach to managing guilty pleas that will incentivise offenders to admit their crime as early as possible in the court process
The guideline also aims to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system by dealing with cases more quickly and so allow police, prosecutors and courts to focus their resources on other cases.
Sentencing Council Chairman, Lord Justice Treacy said:
"We want those who have committed crimes to admit their guilt as early as possible. When they do, it means victims and witnesses can be reassured that the offender has accepted responsibility for what they have done and that they are spared having to appear at court to testify. It also means that the police and Crown Prosecution Service can use their resources more efficiently to investigate and prosecute other cases.
"We want to develop a guideline that is clear, fair and consistent, so this consultation is open to everyone including members of the judiciary, legal practitioners and any individuals who work in or have an interest in criminal justice."
The proposals have been criticised by some who say it could lead to the most violent criminals escaping life behind bars.