Wouldn't the major point of having a judge be to a) control the court and b) to.ensure a fair trial? And lots of things have manditory sentences here, murder carries a manditory life sentance, driving uninsured carries 3 days sespended license and drink driving I think carries 6 months
Yeah, and are largely ignored. One UK Home Secretary, in a whizz bang speech about lessening gun crime (which is really low in the UK anyway) introduced a mandatory 5 year sentence for any gun crime, which included using a replica, or air pistol. So you'd expect high profile cases to get the five stretch wouldn't you? http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...es-jail-for-gun-hidden-in-handbag-660128.html But he got 18months. So the Home Secretary says five years, mandarory, but it's just not upheld. Being in the public eye, and a rapper associated with gun culture, a clear message should he been sent to impressionable youths. The annoying thing about this case, is that he had an airpistol, converted to five using an 8mm blank, making it an illegal firearm, which saw all similar airpistols legislated to require a Firearms license, and effectively screwed the UK company that manufactured them. Yet another reason why I hate rap.
Judges do lots of things. One key aspect of interpreting and applying the law is the ability of a judge to draw from their personal experience and judgement, which they were presumably elected for. Mandatory sentencing strips them of that power, putting it instead in the hands of prosecutors or the legislative body that codified the sentencing guidelines. They've gained popularity with legislators wanting to look "tough on crime".
Possibly but those for driving offences I have no sympathy for, you drink and drive you don't deserve a license and that includes that judge caught doing it. Min sentances are just as much a power of the legislature as Max are
Well look here: Take a box made of concrete walls (non-connecter computer) or i take a box of concrete walls and add a door.