DPP calls for clear sentencing guidelines
The Director of Public Prosecutions James Hamilton has today called on the courts to establish clear sentencing guidelines for different crimes.
He has also given his backing to proposals for a permanent Court of Appeal.
Mr Hamilton made the calls at the national prosecutor's conference today.
The DPP says that if the courts do not set out sentencing guidelines, there will be an increasing tendency for the Government to establish mandatory sentences.
He said mandatory sentences would be much cruder than sentencing guidelines as these could be worked out in such a way as to take every factor of the case into account.
He also said he thinks that a permanent court of appeal is necessary and vital.
