Philosophical Reasons for Sentencing

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to the philosophical reasons for sentencing and aspects of the judicial process.

Retribution

The principle of just desserts; a punishment that is considered deserved based on the crime.

Deterrence

The philosophy that sentencing individuals for crimes discourages others from committing similar offenses.

Incapacitation

A philosophy of sentencing that ensures offenders cannot commit further crimes while incarcerated.

Restorative Justice

An approach that focuses on restoring victims and addressing the harm caused by criminal behavior.

Aggravating Circumstances

Factors that increase the severity of a crime and can lead to a harsher sentence.

Mandatory Sentencing Guidelines

Legal standards that set the minimum and maximum sentence depending on the severity of a crime.

Capital Punishment

The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime, also known as the death penalty.

Probation

A supervised period during which a convicted offender can avoid serving time in prison by complying with certain conditions.

Parole

The conditional release of a prisoner before the full sentence has been served, often under specific restrictions.

Sentencing Disparity

Inequality in the sentencing of individuals who have committed similar crimes, resulting in unequal treatment under the law.