A Talk by Dr. Julian Roberts

  • October 14, 2015
  • 4:30 PM - 6:30 CST
  • 11th Floor - Room 1103
  • Dr. Loretta Stalans, lstalan@luc.edu
  • Free
  • Open to the public
     Open to the public.
  • Add to calendar
  • Details

    *Democratizing Punishment? Exploring the Role of Public Opinion at Sentencing* A Talk by Dr. Julian Roberts, University of Oxford - Faculty of Law

    This presentation explores perspectives which privilege the role of public intuitions about punishment over more traditional influences on sentencing practice. This movement may be termed 'Democratizing Punishment' and has important consequences for sentencing in all common law jurisdictions. Recent books have advocated reforms such as deriving sentencing principles from public opinion research, or sentencing by juries rather than legal professionals. The author critiques this perspective, noting the threats to principled sentencing arising from direct public involvement in the sentencing of offenders. The seminar concludes by suggesting ways in which community values may be incorporated into sentencing guidelines or sentencing statutes, drawing upon international case studies.