6.2.1 Sentences

The court has a range of sentences to choose from. Imprisonment is one of these, but other punishments include:

  • a suspended sentence: the person does not actually go to prison if they commit no further offences over a set period of time
  • a community sentence, e.g. unpaid work in the community or supervision by a probation officer, or participation in an alcohol- or drug-treatment programme
  • a fine: a financial penalty paid to the court
  • disqualification from an activity such as driving or being a company director
  • an order relating to treatment for mental illness
  • a conditional discharge: the person is not punished now, but if they commit a further offence within a certain period of time they will be punished for the current offence too.

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