Role Of Criminal Sentencing In The United States

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I will be discussing the key facts and critical issues presented in various roles/goals within the United States (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). The
The Various roles/goals of Sentencing within the United States. In a narrative format, discuss the key facts and critical issues presented. The various goals of criminal sentencing today are revenge, retribution, just deserts, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation or reformation, and restoration (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). The first is revenge. Revenge is an emotional response to real or imagined injury or insult which requires punishment in return. This is done more on feeling than by law. The second goal is retribution (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). Retribution involves the payment of a debt to both the victim and society. The way this is explained is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. It also means paying back and that the victim feels he is entitled to reprisal. …show more content…

The just desert is that the punishment is deserved and that criminal sentencing holds criminal offenders morally blameworthy and deserve punishment. This means that moral balance is restored to society wronged by crime. The fourth goal is deterrence (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). Deterrence discouragement or prevention of crimes through the fear of punishment. Deterrence is future oriented to prevent crimes. Deterrence has two types general and specific. General is an individual punishment to dissuade others from committing crimes and specific is an individual being punished for additional