Public opinion, sentencing and lenience: An empirical study involving judges consulting the community

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to give an overview of the recently completed Melbourne Criminology Sentencing Study. This study had two general aims: 1. To assess the validity of the populist view of judicial sentencing as lenient; 2. To devise a method having the capacity to challenge the beliefs underpinning the populist view of sentencing. © SWEET & MAXWELL.