Two pieces of legislation currently going through Parliament will make changes to sentencing practice and procedure in England and Wales: the Criminal Justice Bill and the Sentencing Bill. Proposed changes include the creation of a new offence of failing to attend a sentencing hearing, a presumption against the imposition of immediate custodial sentences of 12 months or less, the expansion of the ambit of Whole Life Orders for murder, changes to release arrangements for those convicted of the most serious sexual offences, and an extension of eligibility for Home Detention Curfew.
Our briefing considering the possible impact of these reforms is available here: Sentencing Academy Briefing – Criminal Justice Bill and Sentencing Bill
