Answer: Structured sentencing is mandatory because it promotes fairness, consistency, and transparency in the criminal justice system.
Explanation: In the United States, structured sentencing is a system that was designed to replace discretionary sentencing, which gave judges wide discretion in determining criminal sentences. Under the discretionary system, sentences could vary widely depending on the judge's personal beliefs, biases, and other factors. This lack of uniformity and consistency in sentencing led to many criticisms of the criminal justice system, including claims of racial and class biases.
Structured sentencing, on the other hand, is a guidelines-based system that requires judges to follow a set of guidelines when determining a sentence. The guidelines take into account the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, and other relevant factors. This system ensures that similarly situated defendants are treated fairly and that the punishment fits the crime.
The mandatory aspect of structured sentencing means that judges must follow the guidelines, with limited exceptions, for all cases. This eliminates the possibility of arbitrary or capricious sentencing and ensures consistency across the criminal justice system.
In summary, structured sentencing is mandatory because it promotes fairness, consistency, and transparency in the criminal justice system. It eliminates arbitrary and biased sentencing and ensures that defendants are punished appropriately for their crimes.
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