Starter quiz
- What is an offender?
- a person who commits an illegal act ✓
- a person who defends someone in court
- a person who has offended a judge
- a person who passes sentence in court
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- Match the crime factor to its definition.
- poor education⇔lack of grades can make employment difficult ✓
- unkempt environment⇔crimes are committed as the perception is no one cares or is watching ✓
- peer influence⇔directly or indirectly encouraged to engage in criminal behaviour ✓
- substance abuse⇔can impact decision making and lower inhibitions ✓
- Who decides the sentence in a crown court?
- 'judge' ✓
- Do we have the death penalty in the UK?
- No, it was abolished in 1998. ✓
- No, we have never had the death penalty.
- No, it was abolished in 2008.
- Yes, but it is only used in extremely rare circumstances.
- Yes, it is used frequently.
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- What is the lowest age of criminal responsibility used in the UK?
- '10' ✓
- Which statement is true?
- No crimes are seen as more serious than others.
- No crimes are different.
- No two crimes are the same. ✓
- No two crimes can be committed at once.
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Exit quiz
- What should sentencing provide for victims?
- 'justice ' ✓
- Match the custodial type of sentencing to its definition.
- whole life order⇔the offender will never leave prison ✓
- life sentence⇔a long sentence that must be completed in full ✓
- determinate prison sentence⇔fixed sentence, half spent in prison and half on license ✓
- indeterminate prison sentence⇔sentence not fixed, parole board decide release date ✓
- Painting a playground fence could be an example of what type of sentence?
- 'Community sentence' ✓
- Which is the most common type of sentence in the UK?
- 'Fines' ✓
- What do sentencing guidelines not provide for judges?
- the minimum sentence that can be given
- the maximum sentence that can be given
- the way in which the crime must be reported by the media ✓
- the factors that must be considered regarding blame
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- Why might retribution focused sentencing be viewed as ineffective?
- It doesn't act as a deterrent.
- It doesn't provide justice for victims.
- It doesn't tackle the root cause of crime. ✓
- It doesn't act as a punishment.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- There are a range of different sentences, including custodial and community sentences, fines and discharges.
- Youth sentencing is slightly different and focuses on rehabilitative imposed orders designed to reshape behaviour.
- When sentencing, judges must use guidelines that provide minimum and maximum sentences and factors to consider.
- Sentences can rehabilitate and provide retribution. Both have positive and negative points and the UK uses both.
Common misconception
Punishment is the only purpose of sentencing.
To try and change behaviour, rehabilitation is also needed. This aims to reduce further crime being committed.
Keywords
Sentence - the punishment given to a person found guilty in a court case
Aggravating factors - circumstances that increase the seriousness of the offence
Mitigating factors - circumstances that reduce the seriousness of the offence
Rehabilitation - in this context, the process of returning to, or helping someone return to, a healthy or good way of life after they have offended
Retribution - a response to criminal behaviour that focuses on holding offenders accountable through punishment
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