Discuss and explain the significance of the seriousness of offense and the defendant’s prior record.

What will be an ideal response?


Studies indicate the principal basis for sentences are the seriousness of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history. Offenders who commit more serious crimes receive longer sentences and are more likely to be incarcerated than individuals who commit less serious offenses. There are a number of approaches to determining the seriousness of an offense. This may entail whether the offense is categorized as a serious felony or minor misdemeanor, the type of injury to the victim, the value of the property that is stolen or damaged, whether the defendant used a weapon, and society’s view of the threat posed by the offense. The other primary determinant of the severity of a sentence is the defendant’s prior criminal record.

Criminal Justice

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Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

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a. aggression b. demonstrated alertness c. resistance d. logical necessity

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a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Criminal Justice