There will be a presumption in favour of a suspended sentence for offences attracting 12 months or less.
However, Nick Vineall KC, Chair of the Bar Council, said: ‘There is an obvious risk that when no credit can be achieved from a guilty plea, defendants who know that they have no defence will nevertheless insist on a trial, which means that their victims have to give evidence.’
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: ‘Focusing on sentencing alone is not the right approach.
‘We urge the government to focus on fixing the issues in the justice system as a whole by investing in staff, judges and its buildings.’
A Criminal Justice Bill will compel defendants to attend their sentencing hearing, and allow police to enter premises without a warrant where GPS location tracking provides reasonable proof of stolen goods.
