Community to be given greater say on criminal sentences
Source: Queensland. Attorney General. Media Release
"A sentencing advisory council will be established by the Bligh Government to give the community a greater say on how criminals are punished in Queensland. Attorney-General Cameron Dick said members of the public and victims of crime will have a voice on the new sentencing advisory council, along with experts in law enforcement, criminal law, and juvenile and Indigenous justice issues. “The new body will have the opportunity to provide input into guideline judgments prepared by the Court of Appeal on the appropriate sentencing range for a particular offence,” Mr Dick said. It will help bridge the gap between community expectation, the courts and government in deciding criminal penalties."