Sentencing

If you are found guilty at trial, or plead guilty before trial, the Court will need to sentence you. Sentencing does not necessarily mean jail. Depending on the offence, sentences of intermittent jail, house arrest (technically called a Conditional Sentence Order), probation, fines, discharges, and alternative measures programs may be available.

The fundamental principle of sentencing is proportionality. The plain meaning of this is that the sentence should reflect the offence. Underneath proportionality we have the principles of deterrence, denunciation, and rehabilitation. This means that the need to discourage offending needs to be weighed against the prospect of helping the offender change his or her circumstances so as not to offend again.

Also to be considered are the circumstances of the person being sentenced: if the person comes from a particularly disadvantaged upbringing, if there is some circumstance or trauma that may have contributed to the offence, or the simple fact that the person is remorseful and taking responsibility with a guilty plea. The Crown may invoke the step principle, meaning that if you repeat the same offence, the sentence should go up. 

We at Axon Law have spoken to sentence at every level of Court in Alberta, from Provincial Court to the Alberta Court of Appeal. We would be happy to assist you in getting a fair shake for any offence you have been found guilty of or are wishing to take responsibility for.

We would be pleased to assist you in having your side of your
story told in order that you be sentenced fairly.

Contact us today to obtain assistance or you can use the convenient E-Form below.  Someone will respond to you promptly.