You be the judge

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 2

Sentencing in the Netherlands is too lenient.

State in approximately 100 words whether you think sentencing in the Netherlands is too lenient or too harsh?

Sentencing in the Netherlands is too lenient (approx 100 words)

Now watch the following video 

Now watch the following video in the next slide on sentencing                                         in the UK.

Having just watched the video, now answer the following questions:

1. Which circumstances affects the decision of the judge when sentencing?
2. Can you give examples of personal circumstances which might reduce the offender's punishment.
3. What's the reason why an offender gets a lighter sentence when he admits his guilt at an early stage?
4. Will the sentence be less when the offender admits his crime at the earliest opportunity?
5. What types of sentences do they have in the UK? Name all four.

1. Which circumstances affects the decision of the judge when sentencing?

2. Can you give examples of personal circumstances which might reduce the offender's punishment.

3. What's the reason why an offender gets a lighter sentence when he admits his guilt at an early stage?

4. Will the sentence be less when the offender admits his crime at the earliest opportunity?

5. What types of sentences do they have in the UK? Name all four.

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Answers:

1. The following circumstances affect the decision of the judge: use of violence, weapons, harm done to the victim, whether the crime was planned, blameworthiness of the offender, personal circumstances.

2. Examples of personal circumstances which might reduce the offender's punishment are: if he has to care for a dependent relative; if he shows remorse; if he's coming clean and pleading guilty.

3. The reason why an offender gets a lighter sentence when he admits his guilt at an early stage is that it saves victims and witnesses the stress of getting through a trial and besides it will save the court cost and time.

4. When an offender admits his crime at the earliest opportunity he'll get 1/3 off his sentence.

5. Types of sentences in the UK: prison; community sentence; fines; discharge (going to court is punishment enough for the offender)

You now have a better insight in how the British legal system 

works. 

"So now you be the 

judge"  

After having watched the video do you still think that punishments are too lenient or too harsh and do you think harsher punishments are a solution to crime?

Please state your opinion in a short essay of approximately 150 words or - if you prefer - upload a video of yourself of approximately 1 minute in which you elaborate on this.

After having watched the video do you still think that punishments are too lenient or too harsh and do you think harsher punishments are a solution to crime?
(approx 150 words)