Sentencing and punishment

A supplementary resource, where students learn about the purposes of punishment, factors affecting a sentencing decision and the types of penalties including alternative methods of sentencing.

Students learn about:

  • statutory and judicial guidelines
  • the purposes of punishment: deterrence (specific and general), retribution, rehabilitation, incapacitation
  • factors affecting a sentencing decision: aggravating and mitigating circumstances
  • the role of the victim in sentencing
  • appeals
  • types of penalties including: no conviction recorded, caution, fine, bond, suspended sentence, probation, criminal infringement notice, penalty units, community service order, home detention, periodic detention, forfeiture of assets, imprisonment, diversionary programs
  • alternative methods of sentencing including circle sentencing, restorative justice
  • post-sentencing considerations, including security classification, protective custody, parole, preventative detention, continued detention, sexual offenders’ registration, deportation

Syllabus

Please note:

Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Legal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2009) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2009

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