The guilty plea discount: does pragmatism win over proportionality and principle?

Article


Mackenzie, Geraldine. 2007. "The guilty plea discount: does pragmatism win over proportionality and principle?" Southern Cross University Law Review. 11, pp. 205-223.
Article Title

The guilty plea discount: does pragmatism win over proportionality and principle?

ERA Journal ID36801
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorMackenzie, Geraldine
Journal TitleSouthern Cross University Law Review
Journal Citation11, pp. 205-223
Number of Pages19
Year2007
Place of PublicationLismore, Australia
ISSN1329-3737
Web Address (URL)http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/law/index.php/9/
Abstract

A discount in sentencing quantum is rroutinely provided to defendants who plead guilty to offences. This article examines the reasons for such a discount, and argues that there is little appropriate justification; and further that it creates, in effect, a penalty for defendants who exercise their right to trial. It is further argued that the existence of such a discount can provide an inappropriate incentive to enter a guilty plea for defendants who may otherwise have had a valid reason for exercising their right to trial.

Keywordssentencing; plea discount
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020500105. Legal ethics
440299. Criminology not elsewhere classified
440203. Courts and sentencing
Public Notes

Copyright of articles is retained by the contributors.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law
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