New film about sentencing for victims and witnesses
Published: 10 October 2012
- Date:
- 10 October 2012
This short film uses simple animation to explain how judges and magistrates arrive at a sentence
Victim Support has worked in partnership with the Sentencing Council to produce a short animated film for victims and witnesses of crime explaining how sentencing works and the types of sentence offenders can get.
The aim is to help people understand this often complicated and misunderstood area of criminal justice and increase transparency by explaining in plain English how judges and magistrates arrive at a sentence.
The film is available to view online, will also be used by Victim Support's Witness Service volunteers at courts when they are helping victims and witnesses.
Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support said: "We know from dealing with victims of crime on a daily basis that often they don't know enough about the sentencing process.
"This video will help us increase their knowledge so they understand how judges and magistrates decide on sentences and the kinds of sentence that could be passed in their case."
Michelle Crotty, Head of the Office of the Sentencing Council said: "It's essential to us that victims and witnesses have a better understanding of sentencing.
"The Sentencing Council is a very small organisation, and it's been great to work with Victim Support so we can reach as many people affected by crime as possible. Their volunteer network will be a huge asset in increasing public understanding and combating many of the myths about sentencing."
The Sentencing Council will officially launch the DVD on 11 October but the video clips are now live.
Watch the film 'How offenders are sentenced in England and Wales'