Indeterminate Sentencing Advantages

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There are a few benefits to both mandatory sentences and indeterminate sentencing. Mandatory sentences puts everybody on an even playing ground, and sets a standard for the penalty for a given offense. Indeterminate sentencing allows for some discretion in the sentence, it allows factors other than the offenders guilt of whatever crime to be considered during sentencing, ultimately allowing the opportunity for the most effective sentence. They each also have some issues. Mandatory sentences do not take any other factors into account, which can lead to an unjust punishment. Indeterminate sentencing also leads to the possibility that somebody might not get the full punishment they deserve because they could be let out on parole or get time taken off their sentence for good behavior.

Mandatory sentences can be an effective means of dissuasion because people know that they are facing a minimum amount of time just for committing the single crime, and it can only go up from there. It also ensures that people serve their full sentence and do not get off easily because of good behavior or parole. Mandatory sentences can also lead to unjust punishment for crimes because they do not take into account the circumstances and situations …show more content…

If their offense was a first time offense or there was mitigating circumstances then those can be taken into account and the sentence more closely matches what the offender truly deserves and needs. It also allows for rehabilitation to be acknowledged and rewarded through early release or parole. That early release or parole can also be a negative of indeterminate because some people might feel that because the offender got out early and did not serve their full sentence that they got off easy, they did not feel the full consequence for their actions, and that the victim did not get full

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