GUILTY PLEA

The practice of reducing sentences for criminals who plead guilty has come under review, with interested parties asked to submit their opinions by 14 March 2007. The Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) has issued a revised draft guideline of its definitive 2004 guideline Reduction in Sentence for a Guilty Plea. The new draft guideline should be considered in conjunction with the advice of the Sentencing Advisory Panel, which concluded that little change was necessary. Both documents were published at the end of January. More information is available at the SGC website, www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk.