LAWS6041Sentencing: Global Theory, Law and Practice

Course handbook

Description

This course will cover a range of sentencing issues in the criminal justice system from both national and international perspectives at an advanced level. There will be advanced analysis of the theoretical purposes of sentencing, the principles of sentencing and their practical application in contemporary sentencing systems. This will include analysis of sentencing for transnational criminal offences, such as terrorism, people smuggling, drug trafficking and war crimes (genocide, etc.). The role of the International Criminal Court in sentencing will be evaluated. There will also be a current issues topic, which will focus on advanced analysis and evaluation of high profile current issues in sentencing in both Australian and international contexts.

Availability

Not currently offered.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and advanced understanding of the current theoretical and practical issues relating to sentencing in Australian and international contexts.

2. Demonstrate critical understanding of the nature and purpose of sentencing in contemporary sentencing systems and the role of the International Criminal Court in sentencing.

3. Apply knowledge and advanced understanding of high profile current issues in sentencing in both Australian and international contexts.

4. Analyse and apply principles of law in the specific context of the advanced study of sentencing law and practice.

5. Apply the skills of legal research, through oral and written communication, synthesis and analysis of primary and secondary legal materials, and analysis and evaluation of competing policy considerations.

Content

The content in this course includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Purposes of sentencing " theories, trends and perspectives on retribution, incapacitation (protection of the community), deterrence, rehabilitation and denunciation.
2. Restorative justice " theoretical and practical perspectives on the global operation of restorative justice, including therapeutic jurisprudence, global prevention programs, diversion programs and community practice, global correctional and re-entry programs, community restoration and reparation
3. Principles of sentencing " proportionality, parsimony, equal application, human rights and dignity.
4. The approach of the courts to sentencing " global practical perspectives on judicial methodology and approaches to sentencing, guideline judgments, legislative measures, grid sentencing, standard minimum and mandatory sentencing.
5. Sentencing for transnational criminal offences " terrorism, people smuggling, drug trafficking, war crimes, role of the International Criminal Court.
6. Life imprisonment " global perspectives on the meaning and practical application of this ultimate punishment including consideration of "life without parole" sentences across the world (recent US Supreme Court decision of Miller v Alabama 567 US (2012) banning use of this sentence for juveniles as a violation to the 8th Amendment of the US Constitution).
7. Current Issues - Impact of public opinion on sentencing policy and practice, Judicial sentencing discretion and techniques for reducing disparity in sentencing, conferencing and forum sentencing or such topics as from time to time reflect current reform and critical comment in sentencing.

Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in one of the programs:

[12333] Master of Laws

[12334] Juris Doctor/Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (JD)

[12340] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12341] Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12342] Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12343] Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice/Bachelor of Laws(Honours)

[12346] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12347] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice

[12348] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40036] Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40037] Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40129] Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40130] Bachelor of Development Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40150] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40188] Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40189] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40272] Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40279] Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40280] Bachelor of Biomedicine/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40290] Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[50005] Bachelor of Media and Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[50016] Juris Doctor

Assumed knowledge

For Juris Doctor/Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice students: LAWS6003A and LAWS6003B Criminal Law & Procedure Parts A & B

For Master of Laws students: Nil

Assessment items

Presentation: Presentations - Individual

Report: Research Paper

Online Learning Activity: Reflective online blog

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.