Mandatory sentences can’t deliver justice or stop one-punch killings

Mandatory sentences can’t deliver justice or stop one-punch killings

Associate Professor John Anderson discusses new "Coward Punch" laws

The Victorian government's introduction of the Sentencing Amendment (Coward's Punch Manslaughter and Other Matters) Bill 2014 this week has again sparked debate about the deterrence value and general utility of mandatory sentencing.

Mandatory sentencing will not prevent or deter "coward punch" assaults. These are generally opportunistic crimes that do not involve any considered thought before the event. That is particularly so when the perpetrator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Read the rest of Associate Professor Anderson's opinion piece here.

Learn more of Associate Professor Anderson on his Researcher Profile.

Contact: Associate Professor John Anderson

Phone: (02) 4921 7099

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