Suspended sentences

[sherrardk]

What is the point of suspended sentences - isn't it a bit like being let off even when you have been found guilty?

[Graham-W]

No. It means if you are found guilty of another crime during the period of suspension your original sentence could be added to the new one.
Might make you think about not doing crimes again.

[Zacs-Master]

The jails are full.

[sherrardk]

I am thinking about a particular case where the guilty person is a well to do 74 year old who had the money to pay for a good barrister (he got 12 months suspended for 18 months for a sexual assault on a 14 year old boy).

[starone]

Well, his name will go on the sexual offenders register because he has still been found guilty so that's another facet of the question. Graham is perfectly right, if he reoffends with any crime whatsoever it will be added to the new one (if he is found guilty again) and he will have to do the sentence in prison. Zacs right too, the prisons are full. However, known sexual offenders are often subjected to abuse and harrassment by the neighbours so I don't think he will get away with it scot-free.

[sherrardk]

Hi star - hadn't thought about the whole harassment thing (although they have moved quite some way fromtheir previous and he has a common enough name so maybe their new neighbours won't work out it is him although obviously cold acquaintances and family will know about it).

[New Judge]

His suspended sentence will also be accompanied by one or more "requirements" similar to those ordered as part of a community based sentence. These may include supervison, unpaid work, curfew or specific activity programmes. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the activation of the suspended sentence.

[grffindoor2011]

Having a criminal record causes all sorts of problems. Not being allowed to travel to certain countries, difficulty in finding any job, higher insurance on home, car, life, not being allowed to work in particular jobs.

Having a suspended sentence is most certainly not a let off.