Prison Sentence 1St Time Offence

[Letsgofishing]

Someone very close to me, never been in trouble with the law, always worked from leaving school, made one stupid mistake, drugs and delivering were involved, he was used as a taxi service basically, he was given a 7 year prison sentence, now don't get me wrong, I realise it was very stupid, but what I don't understand is it was a first time offence, and I personally think the sentence was quite steep when you consider, some crimes are a lot worse for less prison time, and by giving a 1st time offender such a lengthy sentence, surely he will be learning a lot more tricks and scams in prison, than if he had been punished him in some other way.

[Letsgofishing]

Chanel5 he's not asking for sympathy and he's certainly not whining as I've already pointed out he's taking his punishment like a man and realises he's done wrong, I'm the one asking the hypothetical question why drug crimes carry a heavier sentence than a crime commited on someone who doesn't ask for it.

[nailit]

letsgofishing, you are comparing apples with oranges. One type of crime does not equal another one. I know someone who got an 8 year sentence for rape, his victim has never recovered (psychologically) Your 'friend' was couriering death to god knows how many, gets a 7 year sentence and ur complaining?

[Letsgofishing]

re Mamyas answer at 17.02 I dont think his sentence is to long I just dont think violent crimes get a long enough, and to be honest Im not to worried if people agree with me or not. I'm not asking the question to be popular.

[EDDIE51]

It's no good complaining.Your friend was convicted of intent to supply class A drugs and has recieved a sentence well in keeping with the guidelines for that offence. Sentences given for other unrelated offences have nothing to do with it.
As I have said on here many times, a judge DOES NOT just make up the sentence off the top of his or her head. They MUST sentence inline with the sentencing guidelines for the specific offence. There are guidelines for every offence and magistrates / Judges are compelled to sentence according to those guidelines.
Here are the guidelines that the judge had to follow
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/item/supplying-or-offering-to-supply-a-controlled-drug-possession-of-a-controlled-drug-with-intent-to-supply-it-to-another/
As you can see the maximum is 16 years in jail. Your friend has been sentenced well under the maximum, so your '1st offence' argument was almost certainly taken into consideration.

[Letsgofishing]

Nailit I'm not complaining at his sentence I'm as free as a bird. Just asking a question.

[nailit]

Save ur breath EDDIE. This is either a troll or someone with myopia!

[EDDIE51]

hi Nalit, yes it just gets a bit tedious haveing to constantly explain that a judge does not have the freedom to just make up a sentence.
Few seem to realise what you and I know about sentencing guidelines.

[Letsgofishing]

Thanks EDDIE51 that's made it much clearer to me.

[EDDIE51]

Ok thanks, and as I said your friend can apply for parole once they have done 3 years 6 months. Almost sure they will be out in less than 4 years.
Do your friend a big favour and make the effort to visit them.
They will have to apply for a visiting order so that you can go and see them. Visits really do mean a lot to a prisoner, I have worked in a prison and have seen how much a visit helps an inmate cope.

[Letsgofishing]

Yes I most certainly will, he's not a bad man, just a very very silly one.

[New Judge]

“( please note there are two causing death by driving offences, Death by Careless Driving and Death by Dangerous Driving, the dangerous driving offence is a lot more serious and it can be a life sentence.)”

Whilst plans were announced last October to increase the maximum to Life, currently the maximum for Causing Death by Dangerous Driving is 14 years, Eddie.

Letsgofishing, your argument seems to be based on the comparison of sentences for PWITS and those for other offences. That is not a valid argument. Parliament has determined the maximum sentences for all offences and the Sentencing Council determines the guidelines. Dealing in Class A drugs is seen as a very serious offence for many reasons and one of those is the potential harm those substances inflict on others. The guidelines reflect that potential harm. I assume your friend had legal representation so he would have been advised if an appeal against his sentence is worthwhile.