Anyone a magistrate?

[Dis86]

@York i don't think that you're quite grasping that in the real world a suspended sentence is not a custodial sentence. It doesn't even fit the literal definition of the word. It's nothing more than a caution, a warning for individuals like these who have already had, in some cases, over 100 warnings.

You talk about it being a major deterrent, well its not, is it? If it was we wouldn't have a situation where the majority of criminals reoffend. What is it, something like 80% within a decade, 50% within 2 years?

Remember, you can't harm the public if you're locked behind steel bars.

 

[Burnsy2023]

• Indictable - Always heard in the Crown Court

Tiny nit-pick, that should read "indictable only", as either-way offences are usually described as indicatable offences in addition to indictable-only.

Otherwise a very accurate and concise post though.

 

[Burnsy2023]

@York i don't think that you're quite grasping that in the real world a suspended sentence is not a custodial sentence. It doesn't even fit the literal definition of the word. It's nothing more than a caution, a warning for individuals like these who have already had, in some cases, over 100 warnings.

You talk about it being a major deterrent, well its not, is it? If it was we wouldn't have a situation where the majority of criminals reoffend. What is it, something like 80% within a decade, 50% within 2 years?

Remember, you can't harm the public if you're locked behind steel bars.

Your first sentence suggests that a suspended sentence isn't anything more than a slap on the wrist, yet your second suggests that reoffending rates are high and therefore people on suspended sentences would likely serve them custodially due to reoffending within the time limit. So it's either a slap on the wrist or in all likelihood a custodial sentence.

Which story do you want to go with, because you're wildly inconsistent at the moment?

 

[Dis86]

Your first sentence suggests that a suspended sentence isn't anything more than a slap on the wrist, yet your second suggests that reoffending rates are high and therefore people on suspended sentences would likely serve them custodially due to reoffending within the time limit. So it's either a slap on the wrist or in all likelihood a custodial sentence.

Which story do you want to go with, because you're wildly inconsistent at the moment?

What it is is a deferred punishment for people who have already had their chance. Often multiple chances.

Also concurrent sentences are a thing. For some reason.

Its been repeatedly demonstrated that light sentences and fines do not reduce crime. Alternative methods or long duration prison stays do.

 

[hurfdurf]

If you don't agree with the justice, then apply to be a magistrate. The whole system is judgement by your peers, but due to the commitment and other factors it's largely retired or wealthy peers, and therefore of a certain demographic, predominantly white and middle to upper class.

Anyone can become a magistrate and be a part of and change that system.

Whole lot of do nothing jabronis will post complaining but never lift a finger.

Another outstanding example...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/new...shead-serial-villain-robert-mckegney-19867816

Followed by...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/banned-driver-avoids-jail-after-19859245

Then yesterday there was...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gateshead-thug-who-broke-girlfriends-19844978

Which is my personal favourite. Magistrates are an utter joke.

like this poster.

 

[Dis86]

Whole lot of do nothing jabronis will post complaining but never lift a finger.


like this poster.

The irony here is amazing as Russ never did anything. He gave up! Beautiful.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

Dis, is there anything you do know about that you'd like to swap into your posts, like tag teaming in WWE* but for good content and swapping out personal opinion for fact?


* I don't know, whatever that one where they did the thing I said they did, so that one.

 

[Dis86]

Dis, is there anything you do know about that you'd like to swap into your posts, like tag teaming in WWE* but for good content and swapping out personal opinion for fact?


* I don't know, whatever that one where they did the thing I said they did, so that one.

So are you disputing that those sentences are incredibly lenient?
Are you disputing that lenient sentences lead to no reduction in reoffending?

Do you have a point?

 

[Voltar]

@York i don't think that you're quite grasping that in the real world a suspended sentence is not a custodial sentence. It doesn't even fit the literal definition of the word. It's nothing more than a caution, a warning for individuals like these who have already had, in some cases, over 100 warnings.

You talk about it being a major deterrent, well its not, is it? If it was we wouldn't have a situation where the majority of criminals reoffend. What is it, something like 80% within a decade, 50% within 2 years?

Remember, you can't harm the public if you're locked behind steel bars.

You may not be aware that one doesn’t just get given a suspended sentence by itself and other elements are imposed such as DRRs, tagged curfews, and unpaid work?

You are also commenting about mags failing to impose a sentence when a circuit judge imposed a light (in your eyes) sentence. Aside from the fact that the cases have to be either sent to the crown court or committed for sentence. There are some reasons in practice that this might happen - your judge could well have been sitting on a hideous child rape case or murder, or the sentence before yours was a far worse crime so when it comes to sentencing, relatively speaking it’s not that serious. The most severe crimes get heard there remember not nicking a twix from a Tesco. You’ve also got better advocates and the judges generally have a better grasp of the principles of sentencing. Which means that the judge won’t just go for the top of each bracket every time unless it is warranted and has a firm grasp on sentencing. These judges will also have been qualified lawyers and may have practiced at the Bar or as solicitors for two decades before coming to the bench, unlike the mags or their legal advisors. It can however work both ways and they can really clobber you with hefty sentences.

You may also be unaware that there is a mechanism called an AG reference where the sentence can be reviewed by the finest legal minds in Christendom in the court of appeal if unduly lenient (or manifestly excessive).

magistrates courts are wildly unpredictable and often are by far the harshest courts for the defendant.

If you are still excised about those cases, perhaps have a look at the sentencing guidelines. You’ll also not have the benefit of the prosecution opening and pre sentence report or mitigation to consider when you have come to your view.

 

[Voltar]

Another outstanding example...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/new...shead-serial-villain-robert-mckegney-19867816

Followed by...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/banned-driver-avoids-jail-after-19859245

Then yesterday there was...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gateshead-thug-who-broke-girlfriends-19844978

Which is my personal favourite. Magistrates are an utter joke.

And which of these do you say should not have been sent to the Crown Court and why?

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

So are you disputing that those sentences are incredibly lenient?
Are you disputing that lenient sentences lead to no reduction in reoffending?

Do you have a point?

I'm making a general observation that you don't appear to know what you're talking about, and are using opinion rather than fact (which appears to have been supplied by a couple of posters already).

That's my point.

 

[Dis86]

And which of these do you say should not have been sent to the Crown Court and why?

Logically the two that ended up there as the sentences rendered were well within the capability of a magistrate to dispense.

 

[Quartz]

A threat of immediate recall to jail is a massive deterrent to any person to commit further crimes during their suspended period,

Is it? Do you have data to back that up? Anecdotally I've heard that it does nothing to deter addicts and career criminals.

 

[Dis86]

I'm making a general observation that you don't appear to know what you're talking about, and are using opinion rather than fact (which appears to have been supplied by a couple of posters already).

That's my point.

So are you saying then that the sentences weren't lenient?

 

[Dis86]

Is it? Do you have data to back that up? Anecdotally I've heard that it does nothing to deter addicts and career criminals.

Precisely. It's clearly not a threat from the demonstrable fact that repeat offending is so high.

 

[Voltar]

Logically the two that ended up there as the sentences rendered were well within the capability of a magistrate to dispense.

I do not think your definition of the word logically applies when the law applies differently.

the magistrates wouldn’t hear the burglary or the GBH plea anyway...

Not so sure a magistrate can impose a 9 month DRR either.

 

[Dis86]

I do not think your definition of the word logically applies when the law applies differently.

the magistrates wouldn’t hear the burglary or the GBH plea anyway...

Not so sure a magistrate can impose a 9 month DRR either.

DRRs, not really a deterrent, are they?

Also not sure there's any evidence to support their effectiveness on reducing crime? Happy to be proven wrong on that.

 

[Voltar]

DRRs, not really a deterrent, are they?

Also not sure there's any evidence to support their effectiveness on reducing crime? Happy to be proven wrong on that.

Guessing you don’t know what they entail, nor what tagged curfew entails either.

Also, nothing to do with the point made about adequacy of sentence nor why they ended up in the crown. Which presumably having seen a number of posters taking time out to address you on you have now changed tack seeing that there was nothing wrong with what was done procedurally.

I wonder whether you think people shouldn’t be given community orders either. Prison or hard labour or death amirite?

 

[Voltar]

I'm making a general observation that you don't appear to know what you're talking about, and are using opinion rather than fact (which appears to have been supplied by a couple of posters already).

That's my point.

QFT.

 

[Dis86]

Guessing you don’t know what they entail, nor what tagged curfew entails either.

Also, nothing to do with the point made about adequacy of sentence nor why they ended up in the crown. Which presumably having seen a number of posters taking time out to address you on you have now changed tack seeing that there was nothing wrong with what was done procedurally.

I wonder whether you think people shouldn’t be given community orders either. Prison or hard labour or death amirite?

So...you don't have any comment on their effectiveness to act as a deterrent or reduce reoffending?
I'm well aware of what they entail, doesn't mean it works.

The guy that broke in to my cars a few years back was on a tag. Didn't stop him. Amazingly, people can commit crime at any time of the day or in any area. Plus some people are very adept at removing them, it's almost as if criminals can't be trusted.

You can't harm the public if you're locked up or dead. Short prison sentences, as I've said repeatedly are proven not to work. They need to be longer.

Also, when will people get it through their heads that issuing fines to people who have either no money, or a lot of money, is pointless? The poor don't pay because they can't, and to the wealthy it's inconsequential.