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Unduly lenient sentences

Michael Meacher MP has written to the Attorney General, raising the issue of District Judges who persistently impose unduly lenient sentences on serious offenders.

Mr Meacher states in his letter:

“I believe a more robust procedure is needed which will provide an opportunity to review, not only unduly lenient sentences, but the performance of judges where the record clearly reveals a regularity of such referrals involving a particular judge.

I would propose that an Independent Judicial Commission which was responsible for the appointment of judges should also have a remit to review where necessary a judge’s record in the light of public concerns and complaints from the relevant authorities.   Such a procedure is not only necessary and right, but it could also achieve a huge saving in time and expense in pre-empting future referrals for unduly lenient sentencing, and would greatly allay widespread public disquiet at what is sometimes perceived to be a serious failing in the criminal law system.”