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Aggravating and mitigating factors in sentencing: comparing the views of judges and jurors
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 16:17 authored by Catherine WarnerCatherine Warner, Davis, J, Freiberg, A, Caroline SpiranovicCaroline Spiranovic, Helen CockburnHelen CockburnThis article reports the findings of the first study in Australia to compare the responses of judges and jurors in 122 real cases who were asked to identify the appropriate relevance and weight that should be given to some of the most commonly listed aggravating and mitigating factors in sentencing. The research reveals that, while jurors and judges in Victoria are alike in giving more weight to aggravating factors than mitigating factors and in supporting an individualised approach to sentencing, jurors give less weight than judges to some mitigating factors, including good character, being a first offender, youth, old age and physical illness. Jurors also adopted broader interpretations of aggravating factors like breach of trust and the relevance of prior convictions. They also preferred a different rationale for discounting sentences due to family hardship.
History
Publication title
Australian Law JournalVolume
92Issue
5Pagination
374-391ISSN
0004-9611Department/School
Faculty of LawPublisher
Lawbook Co.Place of publication
AustraliaRights statement
Copyright 2018 Australian Law JournalRepository Status
- Restricted
