Achieving consistency in sentencing: moving to best practice

Abstract

This article examines firstly consistency as a central sentencing imperative. It then addresses methods adopted in various jurisdictions for the regulation of judicial discretion in sentencing, namely computerised information retrieval systems, sentencing grids,mandatory sentencing and guidelines judgments. The usefulness of these strategies in achieving consistency is then discussed in the context of the Queensland sentencing system, and conclusions drawn on the utility of adopting these approaches in gaining greater uniformity and fairness in sentencing.