Do you think the UK legal system is too lenient

Question

In terms of sentences handed down, the conditions within our prisons etc. when compared with countries such as the US, our sentences look really lenient - or does that make us more civilised?

thoughts

Answer 1

Why when a sensible question is asked some people always seem to come out with the same old remarks such as "that's why there are so many s*x offenders and murderers walking about" are these the only criminals in society nowadays.

I need to point out that those type off offenders are the most closely watched members of our society,and therefore pose less of a risk then other criminals,and this could be the problem,we tend to look at other crimes as less serious yet,at the same time forget that all crime has victims and people will suffer.

I personally think that in general our sentences themselves are adequate but,the problem is not enough magistrates or Judges are using their powers of the law in sentencing and it therefore looks as though the criminals are getting away lightly.Why have maximum sentences if they are not being used this is surely pointless and sends out the wrong message.

If there is a maximum sentence then use it.

There is nothing wrong with the conditions within our Prisons because the punishment is deprivation of freedom not punishment within the prison system.Rehabilitation and victim awareness should be part of the sentence and,nobody should be released if they are considered a danger whatever the crime.

Answer 2

I deplore some of the harsh sentencing of the US.  A US policeman made a very interesting statement recently when he said something like a police force reflected the society and they got the police force they deserved.  And I think the same is with criminality.  We tend to just judge bad behaviour and want to punish it without looking at what really caused it.  America is the greatest ignorants of all, sentencing human beings disproportionatley and in general living in a state of living without empathy.

Yes I do think some sentencing is too lenient.  My values say that violence, paedophiles, rapists, pimping, terrorists and any act commtied directly on a person should be met with the harshest sentence, but non-violent theft and drug dealing I would be lenient about.

Answer 3

In some cases yes. It's the young thugs who seem to get away with everything because the do gooders say they are from a broken home, or some such rubbish. Motorists seem to get harsher penalties than someone who pulls a knife on somebody. A slap on the wrist and taking their library card away isn't going to work and the sooner this government realise this the better.

Answer 4

i think our system is fair ,but in some cases too harsh ,i dont think gettin 6 years for the insurance fraud with the canoest for instance ,that was far too harsh a sentance ,6 months i feel would have fitted the crime

Answer 5

weve got the worst in europe,britain has the most prisons in europe,the most prisoners and the longest sentences,also some of the worst human rights,people seem to think prisons are cushy and easy,that is really not true,to say some people have it easier in prison is twisting the facts,obviously if you are homeless and maybe a heroin addict,when you are in prison you have a roof over your head and you get fed so for those people it is better,the conditions are bad in prison and people shouldnt say otherwise unless they,ve been there,you can build another hundred new prisons and it wont be long before they are full up,the govt has brought in 2000 new criminal offences in the last 10 years,we live in the worst big brother state,ive spent time in winchester,shepton mallet,dartmoor,exeter,channings wood,the verne and leyhill and it AINT EASY OR CUSHY! its not working locking people up,i understand about 80% of prisoners are in for drug related crimes,why not legalise drugs,prison doesnt work it makes people worse and angry and bitter,like me,and mentor,the conditions in most of our prisons is very bad and its not supposed to be .as you say its only your freedom they are sposed to take

Answer 6

For some crimes, like knife crimes, etc, the legal systems does appear to be weak, yet for less severe/more common crimes (hacking/illicit drugs for personal use - even though I disagree with this) are overly punished. Unfortunately, the government knows that it makes more money from harshly punishing blue/white collar crime than it does dealing with severe crime, and this is why our prisons are overcrowded.

Answer 7

yes defo.

Answer 8

Yes i think it is.

Answer 9

It makes you look wimpy and unable to cope with your problems.

How civilized do you look when other countries read reports of child molesters and murderers walking around free?

Honestly, I think the US legal system has gotten way to soft.

Answer 10

Definitely too lenient.  The treatment that 'prisoners' get is often better than what they get when they are on the outside and we wonder why some of them want to go back to prison.

As for sentences, these are pathetic too when the main penalty these days is community punishment orders that are often breached resulting in another community punishment order!

Until we change our outlook and re-access things like the human rights act it can only get worse.

Answer 11

Sentencing has gone mad.  Being punished for a crime committed is supposed to be a deterrent for other possible offenders.  Today criminals seem to get a slap on the wrist or a fine - hardly a suitable deterrent.  I don't think this is being civilised - if it were civilised why are the crime rates soaring, knife crimes rising, people afraid to speak out for fear of being called racist, or sexist or anything that fits to turn the crime around to protect the perpetrator.  

It is  subject that can drive you crazy if you allow it to.  Discipline should start at a very young age, when you respect teachers, police and the like.  Today there are laws undermining the law itself on what they can and cannot do to enforce the law................ it is a vicious circle.

Peoples human rights, once they break the law should be given up....FULL STOP!  They break the law, they are punished accordingly, not slapped on the wrist and told not to do it again........... then the headlines read...'KNIFE CRIME... WHY IS IT SO BAD??'

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE BRITAIN!

:)

Answer 12

The UK system is lenient full stop.

A civilised society protects the law abiding from the criminals, not the other way around.