Sentencing and punishment
Students learn about the purposes of punishment, factors affecting a sentencing decision and the types of penalties including alternative methods.
Syllabus
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from (2009) © NSW ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2025.
Students learn about:
- statutory and judicial guidelines
- the purposes of punishment: deterrence (specific and general), retribution, rehabilitation, incapacitation
- factors affecting a sentencing decision: aggravating and mitigating circumstances
- the role of the victim in sentencing
- appeals
- types of penalties including: no conviction recorded, caution, fine, bond, suspended sentence, probation, criminal infringement notice, penalty units, community service order, home detention, periodic detention, forfeiture of assets, imprisonment, diversionary programs
- alternative methods of sentencing including circle sentencing, restorative justice
- post-sentencing considerations, including security classification, protective custody, parole, preventative detention, continued detention, sexual offenders’ registration, deportation.