Brits having familiar debate over sentencing guidelines and judicial discretion

As detailed in this BBC News article, which carries the headline “Judges group attack sentence plan,”  there is a new debate over an old sentencing issue across the pond.  Here is how the article starts:

The body which represents 652 judges in England and Wales has attacked government proposals to introduce compulsory guidelines on sentences.  The Council of Circuit Judges said the government’s plans were “unnecessary, costly and unwelcome”.

The Council said the imposition of mandatory guidelines “may result in injustice to both offenders and victims in individual cases”.  But Justice Secretary Jack Straw said judges’ discretion would remain.

The plans are contained in the Coroners and Justice Bill, which had its third reading in the Commons on Tuesday and will now go to the Lords.  BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said it was “highly unusual” for the judiciary to make such a statement.