Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by creativenolo 475 days ago
Wow the other comments on this thread are all ironic, exaggerated, and misleading.

A little context is necessary.

“Up to” is worth emphasis. Even if in an extreme scenario a 5 year sentence was disbursed only up to 2.5 years would be in prison (and likely far less), automatic release at 2 thirds in the worst case.
1 comments
superkuh 475 days ago
When you are being attacked by a government prosecutor these "up to"s matter very, very much. It allows them to force the acceptance of inappropriate settlements by waving the (very real) possibility of these "up to"s in your face if you try to actually have your case heard in a court.
link
creativenolo 474 days ago
From your language, it’s clear you’re not talking from the perspective of the UK’s different legal systems.

They may matter like you say in other systems, but they are not the same in all systems.

link
superkuh 474 days ago
True. But in this case many UK localities are adopting these legal practices. It's new, but rising. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/oct/06/rise-of-plea-bar...

"Rise of plea-bargaining coerces young defendants into guilty pleas, says report. US-style negotiations for reduced sentences in England and Wales raises fears of false confessions and lack of informed consent"

link