Part of Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:15 pm on 16 October 2007.
Sally Dickinson: Magistrates will seek maximum discretion in sentencing. They do not want to impose sentences or make decisions that an ordinary member of the public might find completely bizarre. However, once legislation has been passed, they are bound by that legislation and will, of course, obey it. Nevertheless, maximum discretion is always wanted.