In a society dictated by laws, breaking the law means suffering the consequences. In the United States, if you’re proven guilty of a crime, you can be thrown in jail for life or simply forced to do a certain number of hours of community service. It all comes from the government’s desire to make punishments equal to the degree of the crime committed. But who’s the judge of these things? What are the exact parameters for sentencing, anyway? Can a judge use his or her own discretion, or are there limitations?
On Tough Law, we answer all of these questions and more by posting articles about past examples and current procedure. We’ll tell you which set restrictions on allotting punishment exist. We’ll also explain how much power a judge has in terms of a case and list the potential sentences someone can be given based on their crimes. We delve into the courtroom process and give you the scoop!