Frequently asked questions
Research and analysis
Where can I find data on the sentences handed down by courts in England and Wales?
Annual and quarterly sentencing statistics, along with other statistics relevant to this area can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Information up to 2008 is available only at National level at this address. Data for 2009 will be published on 21 October 2010 and will contain information at individual court level.
Why is the Sentencing Council collecting data from judges?
In order for the Sentencing Council to fulfil it’s statutory duties in the Coroners’ and Justice Act 2009 the Sentencing Council needs information on the factors judges take into account when they pass sentence on an offender. Only judges are able to supply this information and as it is not currently collected the Sentencing Council is collecting this information via the Crown Court Sentencing Survey.
What is the Crown Court Sentencing Survey?
The Crown Court Sentencing Survey is the way the Sentencing Council is collecting information on the factors judges take into account when sentencing offenders. The survey will start on 1 October 2010 and an analysis of the first 6 months worth of data will be undertaken in summer 2011.