No-one should get a sentence discount for doing the basics - being a good person

The Sensible Sentencing Trust has today welcomed the announcement by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, that ‘good character’ sentence discounts will not be allowed for sexual offending of any kind.

”We congratulate the Minister for this long overdue reform and recognition of victims interests in sentencing.” said National Spokesperson Louise Parsons.

”This policy change will have only a minor fiscal effect, but of profound real and symbolic value to victims of some of the worst offending that goes through our courts.” continued Parsons.

“The obvious question arising from this announcement is: Why only sexual offending?  Good character discounts should not be available to criminal offending of any type - particularly violent offences.  The offender is being sentenced for the law breaking they have done, not the good they may have done in other parts of their life - that’s irrelevant and frankly an insult to a victim of any crime. But it’s the victim that has their right to justice watered down when their offender receives a lighter sentence for matters not relevant to the harm they did to the victim.  That is the key issue.” continued Parsons.

“Good character discounts are the kind of nonsense that New Zealand’s out-of-touch judiciary use simply to reduce sentences - and Governments of all stripes tacitly accept it because it reduces the fiscal cost and prison population.” continued Parsons.

“Sensible Sentencing Trust once again thanks the Government for the direction of travel with this policy, but encourage a more fulsome approach to reform in this area.” concluded Ms Parsons.