Report 118 (2007) - Role of juries in sentencing
Updates and background for this project (Digest) List of recommendations
Chapter 4
Recommendation 1
The Commission recommends that jurors should not be involved in the sentencing process to any greater extent than they are at present.
Chapter 5
Recommendation 2
The Commission recommends that further empirical studies should be done in NSW on public perceptions of the sentencing process.
Recommendation 3
The Commission recommends that the issue of public confidence in sentencing decisions should be addressed by increasing public education about sentencing laws and practice, including the factors and options that a judge must consider when determining the type and length of a sentence. Public education could be facilitated through:
- campaigns developed under the newly expanded functions of the Sentencing Council;
- greater use by the courts of plain English summaries of the reasons for sentencing decisions;
- the production and widespread distribution of easy to understand information concerning sentencing available in various formats; and
- improved cooperation between the media and criminal justice officials responsible for disseminating public information about sentencing matters.
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