[chinamonty]

yes you are correct monaro but thing that always gets my dander up is when someone pleads not guilty and the judge finds them guilty and then gives them a harsher sentence because they were not contrite! They did plead not guilty so why should they have any contrition.

 

[chinamonty]

Actually the person found guilty after a not guilty plea is not getting a harsher sentence, they are getting the correct sentence according to the sentencing guidelines.

The person who pleads guilty gets a lesser sentence under the heading of 'contrition' but in fact the lighter sentence is not based on a moral premise but an economic one. The lighter sentence is indeed in exchange for not making the state, victims, police and witnesses suffer the stress, time and the cost of a trial.

It's the oldest quid pro quo going. You make it easier on us, we make it easier on you.

You don't make it easier on us, you get the standard sentence....

That may be so but why do judges tell that to a person who says they are not guilty and they still stick to that. It is meaningless to them as they still maintain their innocence. They are empty words.