uniform sentencing pros and cons uniform sentencing pros and cons

Some mandatory minimum sentencing laws have been implemented to control the amount of ammunition that can be held in a clip, even if the gun is not used in the commission of a crime. From stifling individuality to the extra costs, there are several solid arguments against imposing a school uniform on students. From patriotism to pragmatism--why Americans enlist. Mandatory minimum sentences can surely be unjust. Though they often include some options, such as pants or shorts for boys and skirts, pants, or shorts for girls, they are generally all the same color.. It provides a measure of consistency for the severity of the crime. The United States is often ranked in the Top 5 countries for per-capita incarceration rates in the world. This response to the crime places them at a needless risk because a child is five times more likely to be sexually assaulted when serving time in an adult prison than they are if they are in a juvenile facility. The judge may consider a variety of . All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. What are the pros and cons of each? By sentencing them in a way that is similar to what an adult would receive, these older teens do not receive credit for the fact that they may only be a few months away from becoming a legal adult in the United States. 00:0000:00. When one compared longer sentencing to community based corrections, community based correction had a 7% recidivism. Truth-in-sentencing has been around for decades, among measures such as mandatory minimums and the three strike law that fall under the get-tough-on-crime umbrella. Because of the severe sentencing guidelines that are required by a mandatory sentence, it can reduce crime levels in all targeted categories. 1. Having a dress code at school promotes a more positive educational environment. Judges sentence based on the recommendations of a jury, a plea agreement, or a bench trial. Debates about whether or not school uniforms make a difference in students' learning experiences persist, though, with many proposed pros and cons., School uniforms are a standard form of dress set by an academic institution. Although there are advantages to having older teens in the adult system because they can take advantage of the available services, younger children require a juvenile-specific approach that is not available if they are tried and convicted as an adult. For instance, in 2011, Rahim Lockridge from Michigan was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after strangling his wife. - Definition, Laws & Example, Concurrent Sentence in Law: Definition & Example, Determinate Sentencing: Definition, Pros & Cons, Indeterminate Sentencing: Definition, Pros & Cons, Interstate Compact Agreement: Definition & Rules, Lethal Injection: Definition, History & Procedure, Mandatory Minimum Sentencing: Laws, History, Pros & Cons, Plea Bargain: Definition, Process, Pros & Cons, What Is a Life Sentence? Sen. Rand Paul states, "Though only 5 percent of the world's population . You aren't just making a pros essay or a cons essay. In 2006, the bodies of Marc and Debra Richardson, along with their 8-year-old son, were discovered in their home by an even younger boy who saw them through the window. Pros. This sense of uniformity helps to establish a sense of consistency and predictability in the criminal justice system.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'ablison_com-box-4','ezslot_13',630,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ablison_com-box-4-0'); In addition, mandatory sentencing laws are often seen as effective deterrents. Someone who is in their 40s is going to have a very different life perspective than someone who is 16 years old. In later centuries, this practice became associated with the upper class, and boys at prestigious schools would wear very formal coats with button-up shirts and top hats. There are many benefits of school uniforms that parents, teachers, and students often agree on. 1. Create an account to start this course today. It is a process which seems to disproportionally target minority demographics. They argue that: Most kids don't like school uniforms. She was scheduled to complete her sentence in 2015, but then was released to the community in 2012 despite being convicted of a triple homicide. It does not give a defendant an opportunity to be tried by a jury of their peers. In the United States, you must be old enough to vote in order to sit on a jury. Thus, if an individual was convicted . Supporters of globalization argue that it has the potential to make this world a better place to live in and solve some of the deep-seated problems like unemployment and poverty. 10. In some cases, mandatory sentencing laws have been linked to a decrease in certain types of crime, while in other cases, there has been little to no effect. Within that same data set, 79% of the offenders were either 16 or 17 years old at the time they committed the crime. Choosing a debatable topic allows you to select a balanced number of pros and cons. Decreasing violence and theft because of clothing and shoes. Either rich or poor wear the same uniform. Up until the 1960s, capital punishment was a mandatory minimum sentence for murder. It does not allow for extenuating circumstances. It does not take into account the maturity of the child. It gained momentum in 1994 with . The modest-looking storefront Army recruiting . The key findings used to tout the benefits of uniforms are questionable. We also have a responsibility as a society to give our children a fighting chance for success. It reduces the number of options that are available for sentencing. - Definition, History, Pros & Cons, What Is Community Service? There is no question about whether a judge likes someone or not. Indeterminate sentencing is a type of prison sentence that is subject to review by a parole board. Indeterminate sentencing is a structure where a convicted criminal's sentence is given as a range. Because of the severe sentencing guidelines that are required by a . Although any crime deserves a potential consequence no matter how severe it might be, there is also a need to create a fair outcome which takes every element of the experience into consideration and that may not always happen when the decision is made to try juveniles as adults. Cyntoia Brown is one story of about 10,000 who was sentenced as a juvenile for killing a man when she was just 16 years old. Students legal right to free expression remains intact even with mandatory school uniforms. An outraged . In other words, they have the power to choose whether or not they will charge offenders crimes that carry a minimum mandatory sentence. 1. The Supreme Court of the United States declared that all states must retroactively apply a band on mandatory death-in-prison sentences for juveniles. One recent case in Montana involved a teacher who received a 30-day prison sentence for raping a 14-year-old student of his. School uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons and then make a move. Net Neutrality. The latter is used as a frame in section four, where forty pros and cons of paper versus electronic products are reviewed. Monkey Business Images/Dreamstime.com. Charging juveniles in adult court will often cause exorbitant expenses that can often worsen the poverty that a family experiences. A jury may also exercise the sentencing guidelines are usually imposed by the judge in most cases, but sentencing or it can be mandated by a statue; such as, mandatory prison sentence for certain crimes. suggest new. I think librarians should really weigh . However, indeterminate sentencing is pronounced by a judge but is subject to review by a parole board. For better or for worse, the issuance of mandatory minimum sentences has become a central part of the countrys judicial system, taking the law out of the judges hands and putting it on a pre-defined idea of the appropriate punishments for corresponding crimes. Indeterminate sentencing is preferred in many jurisdictions since it incentivizes prisoners to be on good behavior, offers prisoners a chance to take advantage of the benefits of imprisonment, and the parole board can make eligibility decisions based on a defendant's criminal history. Give equal weight to both the pros and the cons. The law also set up a 100-to-1 sentencing ratio for crack cocaine versus powder cocaine offenses. 7. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. With that in mind, lets take a look at some of the pros and cons of mandatory sentencing. The offender is only released if the parole board approves them. And for clarity's sake, I should say that the idea has formalist underpinnings, but debating the pros and cons of this is for another time. It helps with decreasing crime. This eliminates the anxiety between the conviction and sentencing phases of a trial and lets the court proceed in a quicker manner. 2. These are the key points to consider. She has always maintained that her actions were in self-defense because the man she killed had purchased her for sex. Both of them chose to plead guilty to the crime, of which their friend was able to survive. Why? Determinate sentencing allocates a fixed amount of time for a crime, such as ten years, while indeterminate sentencing only assigns a range of time the defendant may stay in prison, such as five to ten years. It limits the role of a judge. Although high level, serious offenders were targeted with these sentencing guidelines, first-time offenders and unintentional law breakers get caught up in the snare and everyone receives the same sentence. definitions. They were not. Do School Uniforms Make a Difference? However, the accuracy of the information they receive might be questionable. The 1989 act required the Sentencing Commission to study the implementation and impact of the guidelines. When 9-year-old Cameron Kocher fired a rifle out of a window, accidentally striking his 7-year-old neighbor who was riding a snowmobile, that may not be the case. Schools that use uniforms argue that they: Some argue that the cons of school uniforms outweigh the pros. Others point to the issue of overcrowded prisons and argue that such laws only exacerbate the problem. If a juvenile is charged with an adult crime, then such an action may limit the civil responsibilities that the parents have for the conduct of their child. Another indeterminate sentence upheld was Bruce Wimberly, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 1984. It creates more opportunities for youth to become repeat offenders. 551 lessons. 5. To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether students should have to wear . It prevents a child from having a fresh start even after they make necessary changes. 1. Convicted offenders are staying behind bars for longer and arent eligible for parole at all or not until 85% of their sentence has been served. In the US, each of the 300 million people have a unique opinion on any given subject, and this is true in any justice system. Choose a debatable topic. Sentencing guidelines are one mechanism that can be used to implement determinate sentencing. Children and teens can sometimes look unkempt or choose to wear clothes that may be considered provocative or offensive, especially in religious schools.. It was as early as 1899 when the United States began creating the first courts for youth offenders. - Definitions, Laws & Rules, What Is Parole? latin. With uniforms, a more professional tone is set in a school, encouraging students to take their studies more seriously. One of the primary issues is the potential for overcrowding in prisons. More contemporary policies to reduce recidivism look to evidence-based strategies that hold offenders accountable, are sensitive to corrections costs, and reduce crime and victimization. There is a need to protect the general population against violent actions. Pros are arguments that aim to promote the issue, while cons suggest points against it. Encourage discipline and set clearly defined rules. The US prison population, per capita, is one of the highest in the world. On average, every 9-10 days a government in the United States executes a prisoner. In one occasion, a desperate mother of four was once paid USD100 to mail an unknown package to someone that contained hundreds of grams of crack cocaine, and the judge sentenced her to 10 years in prison, as the law dictated what had to be done even though the judge felt it unjust and irrational. 25% of the people who were sentenced to life in prison as a juvenile have no possibility of parole. They are instead subjected to an environment where adult offenders become their teachers and idols, which can often lead to an ongoing cycle of crime. All rights reserved. When a student wears a school uniform, they go to school with a study mindset. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws, which were introduced about three decades or so ago, allow judges to issue a minimum prison sentence at the discretion of the prosecutor, who determines the charges that are placed against a defendant. In indeterminate sentencing, the release date calculation is up to the state parole board to review the case and determine the appropriate release date. Intro to Criminal Justice: Help and Review, The Sentencing Process in Criminal Justice: Help and Review, Intermediate Sanctions: Definition, Types, Pros & Cons, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Indeterminate Sentencing vs. Determinate Sentencing, Introduction to Crime & Criminology: Help and Review, The Criminal Justice Field: Help and Review, Criminal Justice Agencies in the U.S.: Help and Review, Law Enforcement in the U.S.: Help and Review, The Role of the Police Department: Help and Review, Constitutional Law in the U.S.: Help and Review, Criminal Law in the U.S.: Help and Review, The Criminal Trial in the U.S. Justice System: Help and Review, Types & Goals of Contemporary Criminal Sentencing, Traditional & Alternative Criminal Sentencing Options, Structured Criminal Sentencing: Definition, Types & Models, Indeterminate Criminal Sentencing: Definition, Purpose & Advantages, Intermediate Sanctions: Definition, Purpose & Advantages, Arguments For and Against Capital Punishment, Sentencing Issues and Trends in the U.S. Justice System, What is Extradition? Lets see what there are. Erases Cultural Differences. It is important to note that any judicial system can have flaws and imperfections. strengths and . 18 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of the Payback Period, 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Leasing a Car, 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing, 24 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of a C Corporation, 16 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gated Community, 17 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Groups, 17 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Bonds, 19 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Annuities, 17 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Advertising. 4. School uniforms do not stop bullying and may increase violent attacks. If inmates are constantly well behaved, they are much more likely to be eligible for early release. 2. Fair Sentencing Act Pros And Cons. By establishing uniform standards for offenders, mandatory sentencing laws help to ensure that those who have committed similar crimes will receive similar punishments. . This form of sentencing has both pros and cons that should be carefully weighed by all parties involved. They can create an environment of coercion. Uniforms at school also reduce the prevalence of violence, which is a major concern . Simply carrying a firearm, even if not used, can initiate a mandatory minimum sentence under certain statutes. One girl was sentenced to 25 years in a mental institution, while the other was given 40 years. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, there are approximately 350 killed each year because of a lone juvenile offender. There are various forms of sentences that are to be reviewed: concurrent and consecutive sentences . There is a case of a 10-year-old girl in the state of Wisconsin who was charged in 2018 in the killing of a 6-month-old, and state law requires anyone who is age 10 or above to have their case brought in adult court. Most prison officials prefer this kind of sentencing as it shows the offenders that good behavior is rewarded while bad behavior hurts the offender more. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Statistics show that such laws have had mixed results in terms of reducing crime. Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Sentencing used to be in the hands of a jury or judge, but with mandatory sentencing, a guilty verdict would mean that prosecutors are given more control of the sentence the offenders would receive. Indeterminate sentences may be handed down for felony convictions, where punishment includes incarceration in a state prison. 27747. Kids who wear uniforms are more likely to be bullied. Many harsh prison sentences are created to keep others from committing the same crime for worry of obtaining a similar sentence. The goal of this type of sentence is to make the value of the crime be less than the value in following the law. Of course, every person deserves a fair chance, but a very lenient sentence would almost make it seem like offenders will just get away with their crimes. School uniforms promote conformity over individuality. Pros and cons are arguments for or against a particular issue. Up until the 1960s, capital punishment was a mandatory minimum sentence for murder. However, they still get supervision from the prison system. Parole boards have too much power. balancing sentencing policy with limited correctional resources. One of the many benefits of wearing school uniforms for children is that they create a sense of identity and unity among school students. Lets take a look at the arguments for and against mandatory sentencing. Contrast an indeterminate sentence with a determinate sentence. 2. It is used for coercion. Contrast an indeterminate sentence with a determinate sentence. Because the individual is being treated as an adult in the situation, some jurisdictions limit how victims can civilly pursue for damages that they may have suffered in that situation. There are many school uniforms pros and consone major argument against school uniforms often posed by students in the school uniforms debate is that school uniforms . The study showed that for both low and high risk offenders, the rate of deterrence was the same. Students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers. Prosecutors argued that her motivation for killing was motivated by robbery instead of self-defense. The four largest cons of wearing school uniforms are: 1. In the US, 300 million people are having their unique opinions on certain subjects. The judge had sentenced him under the Colorado Sex Offenders Act, which provided a term between one day to life. It does not always reflect a measure of culpability. "Vittana: "10 Pros and Cons of School Uniforms.". Here are some key ideas you can incorporate in the body of your essay: Explain the essence of having school uniforms on students, teachers, and learning institutions. idioms. Because there are no variables that change the sentencing guidelines of these convictions, someone going to trial will know immediately what their outcome will be if they are found guilty or plead guilty. The United States is the only country in the world where the justice system will sentence children to death behind bars for the crimes that they commit. Additionally, schools that favor uniforms feel that they help create a safer educational environment, letting students focus more on learning, as opposed to what they're going to wear to school the next day. But in practice, the sausage factory that is the American criminal justice system focuses not on equal inputs or fair processes but on uniform . The Pros of Mandatory Minimum Sentences. Despite his appeal to the Supreme Court, the sentencing was upheld. Pros and Cons of Determinate and Indeterminate Sentencing. Two weeks later, she sold another $20 worth of marijuana to the same informant. At some point, society needs to teach all youth, no matter what their home background may be, that there are actions which are permitted and ones that are not for the greater protection of everyone. For such kind of sentencing to be given, many factors are taken into account, rather than the crime alone. Here are some examples. When children receive a conviction in the juvenile justice system, then their records are typically not accessible once they reach a specific age (usually 18 or 21, depending on their state). For mandatory sentencing, it helps create a standard of justice that can be applied equally to all parties that are charged with similar crimes. This is not to justify drunken behavior, but it is important to note that an intoxicated individual would not think through the possible consequences of his actions. These cumbersome standards (and cumbersome clothes) eventually became more relaxed, though. Moving a child into the adult court system exposes them to the mandatory sentencing guidelines which exist in most jurisdictions. It provides the community with an opportunity to have a say in the process. 3. About 1 in 4 schools in the country takes this idea to the point of requiring uniforms. The justice system uses the prison system as the main means to punish offenders of the law. They shift the personal bias in trials. When children are tried in juvenile court, then the judge presiding over the case will have the final decision as to what the outcome of the proceedings will be. The Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws 811 Words | 4 Pages. Sentencing them as an adult gives the justice system the time it needs to offer a true chance at rehabilitation. For those unfamiliar with the concept, mandatory sentencing refers to laws that impose a fixed punishment for certain crimes, regardless of mitigating factors such as an offenders age, criminal history, or the circumstances of the crime. Pros And Cons Of Removing Ovaries For Endometriosis, 50 Intense Pros and Cons of Dropping the Atomic Bomb, 20 Intriguing Pros and Cons of Becoming a State National, Pros And Cons Of Higher Education For Police Officers.