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You are here: Homepage » Revision Guides » As » Questions » AS04

AS Level Law Assignment 4 - The Penal System


Task

You will be set one of the following questions:

 

Describe the sentences available to a court when sentencing a young offender.  [20 marks]

Discuss the aims of sentencing and consider other factors the criminal courts will use to reach an appropriate sentence.  [20 marks]

(2002 Specimen Paper)

or

(a) Describe the different aims of sentencing.  [15]

(b) Discuss the ways that the courts use various sentences to reflect these aims of sentencing.  [30]

(June 2002)

or

Noddy, aged 16, has been found guilty of burglary at Trumpton Youth Court.

(a) What type of sentences can the court impose on Noddy?  [20]

(b) Consider what aims and other issues the court should take into account when deciding on an appropriate sentence for a young offender.  [25]

(January 2002)

or

(a) Briefly describe the different aims of sentencing. [15]

(b) Illustrate the ways in which different sentences may be used to support different aims of sentencing. [30]

(June 2001)

or

At the Roundtown Magistrates' Court Byron, aged 22, has been found guilty of theft of several thousands of pounds worth of video equipment.

(a) Briefly explain the ways in which the magistrates could sentence him or otherwise deal with his case. [15]

(b) Discuss the different aims of sentencing and other factors which the magistrates would take into consideration in Byron's case. [30]

(January 2001)

or

(a) Describe the main sentences available to the courts. [30 marks]

(b) Explain the different aims of sentencing. [15 marks]

(2000 Specimen Paper)

 

'OLD STYLE' QUESTIONS

 

1.  Two defendants are being sentenced in separate cases at Donbridge Crown Court. Ann, aged 42, has been found guilty of stealing £30,000 from her employer. Bob, aged 19, has pleaded guilty to burgling three houses.

Briefly describe what sentences could be given to (i) Ann and (ii) to Bob, and comment on the different factors the courts will consider in the two cases.

(June 2001)

or

2.  Evaluate whether retribution should be the main aim of the criminal justice system when offenders are sentenced. Support your arguments by reference to different types of sentence.

(June 2000)

or

3.  Andy, aged 23, has been found guilty in the Donbridge Crown Court of assaulting Ben and causing him serious injuries.

(a) Briefly explain the types of sentences available in his case (15 marks)

(b) Discuss how and why the court would decide which sentence to impose upon him. (35 marks)

(May 1999)

or

4.  Consider how the various sentences available to the courts for dealing with criminal offenders may be used to promote different sentencing aims.

(May 1998)

or

5.  On the same day two defendants appear in separate cases at the Oxbridge Crown Court.

Ben has been found guilty of stealing a pair of trainers from a shop. He is aged 22, unemployed, unmarried and lives with his mother. He has one previous conviction for theft when he was aged 19.

Jim has pleaded guilty to stealing £75,000 from the firm where he works as an accountant. He is aged 31 and married with three children. He has no previous convictions.

(a) What sentencing powers has the judge to deal with adult offenders such as these?

(b) What factors would the judge take into account in determining the appropriate sentences in each of these cases?

(May 1997)

or

6.  Is uniformity of sentences the most important aim in sentencing?

(May 1996)

or

7.  Bernard, aged 16, is convicted by the Midshire Youth Court of causing criminal damage.

(a) What sentencing powers does the court have in respect of him?

(b) Why are there differences in the sentences available for young offenders and adult offenders?

(May 1995)

or

8.  Consider critically the sentencing reforms introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

(May 1994)

or

9.  "The first objectives of punishment should be denunciation of and retribution for the crime."

Should these be the main aims when sentencing offenders?

(May 1993)

or

10.  James, aged 20, is charged with assaulting David and causing him actual bodily harm. James intends pleading guilty in the Erewhon Magistrates' Court.

(a) What powers do the magistrates have to deal with him?
and
(b) Are those powers satisfactory?

(May 1992)

or

11.  Critically examine the principles on which both

(a) adult offenders, and
(b) juvenile offenders

are dealt with by the Criminal Courts.

(May 1991)

 

Guidance

My students should see me in the Law workshop or email me if help is required with this assignment.

 

Set: 

Due: