Criminal Justice Act 2003 and Sentencing
According to the UK government's Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) the Criminal Justice Act was passed into law on November 20, 2003. One of the main areas affected by the act was court proceedings and in particular the sentencing of offenders.
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Framework
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OPSI reports the Criminal Justice Act was an attempt by the UK government to make sentencing guidelines clearer and more flexible. In an attempt to streamline the sentencing framework, the act required the establishment of a new sentencing guidelines council.
Murder
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The UK's Guardian newspaper explains the Criminal Justice Act 2003 reformed the sentences for murder by requiring life sentences for murder involving abduction, sexual misconduct and previous murder convictions. Thirty-year sentences are also required for murder involving explosives or firearms.
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Courts
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According to OPSI, the Criminal Justice Act also reformed the sentencing powers of local magistrates. By increasing the powers of magistrates the act attempted to see a reduction in the number of criminal cases leaving local courts to be tried at larger Crown Courts.
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