Long announces sentencing review
Date published:
Prison sentences for the unlawful killing of an emergency worker while on duty are to be considered as part of a wide-ranging Review of Sentencing Policy, announced today by Justice Minister Naomi Long.
The Review will also look at the legislative framework for certain categories of crime, including serious sexual crimes, drugs, fireworks, animal welfare and environmental offences. The use of use of ‘good character’ evidence in court cases will also be considered, as will sentencing guidelines mechanisms and recent developments in other jurisdictions.
Recommendations from the Review will then go out to public consultation.
Minister Long said:
“Sentencing is a vital part of the justice system in Northern Ireland. It often involves complex considerations and requires a delicate balance to be struck between the rights of defendants on the one hand and the needs and expectations of victims and the public generally on the other.
“This challenging task is performed by a skilled judiciary whose job is to deliver fair and appropriate sentences independently of government in every case which comes before the criminal courts. The role of government is to provide a flexible and robust sentencing framework which is fit for purpose and within which the judiciary can exercise its judicial function effectively.”
Minister Long added:
“The aim of this Review is to identify proposals to strengthen the sentencing framework in relation to particular types of offences, to ensure that it continues to be effective and proportionate. The Review will also consider the extent to which current arrangements represent an effective sentencing guidelines mechanism and explore the need for reform in Northern Ireland.
“The review will also take account of recent developments in sentencing policy in other jurisdictions, including England and Wales, and identify potential options for equivalent reform in Northern Ireland.”
For further information view the Minister's Written Statement
Notes to editors:
- The Review will consider the appropriateness of the current legislative framework governing:
- good character evidence;
- serious sexual offences;
- drug-related offences;
- the unlawful killing (ie manslaughter of) an emergency worker acting in the exercise of their functions;
- Firework offences;
- Animal welfare offences; and
- Environmental crime.
- The Review will also consider the extent to which current arrangements represent an effective sentencing guidelines mechanism and explore the need for reform in Northern Ireland.
- The Review will also take account of recent developments in sentencing policy in other jurisdictions, including England and Wales, and identify potential options for equivalent reform in Northern Ireland.
- The Department plans to engage with relevant stakeholders to inform policy development, and any policy proposals arising from the Review will be subject to public consultation.
- Separately, the Department also plans to introduce a draft Sentencing Bill to the Assembly in early 2026, to give effect to the recommendations arising from the Department’s last Sentencing Policy Review, as well as to legislate to introduce Charlotte’s Law and a statutory aggravator for hate crime.
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