Legal Articles

• Sentencing Guidelines: Fair Sentences or a Denial of Trial by Jury?
  In the 1980s, it became apparent to those in the U.S. government that there were wide sentencing disparities in the United States federal court system.  Defendants who were convicted of very similar crimes were receiving wildly different sentences.  Accordingly, a movement began to develop federal sentencing guidelines.  In addition to providing equitable sentences around the … more
• How a Criminal is Sentenced for a Crime
  The final phase of a criminal case, absent an appeal, is sentencing.  It is during the sentencing phase that the judge decides what a convicted criminal’s sentence will be for the crimes that were committed. There are both objective and subjective factors that come into play during sentencing, making it one of the most important and controversial stages of any criminal case. How a … more