Why do governments decide to impose mandatory minimum sentences?
Although the decision by Governments to legislate mandatory minimum penalties takes place for a variety of reasons and in response to particular concerns of the public within their constituencies, several reasons common to all jurisdictions can be identified. The main reason for the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences by governments has been an asserted reaction to widespread community concerns regarding the levels of crime and the inadequate sentences for these crimes. It is stated that stronger penalties will provide a greater deterrence to the commission of these crimes. Also this form of sentencing regime may be imposed to generate more consistency in judicial sentencing. The desire for mandatory minimum sentences often results from a media generated climate of outrage over perceived lenient sentencing by a judge in a particular case. A good example is a decision of a South African judge in a case where an accused had raped his own daughter. The judge in that case imposed a l
