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Whether the capital sentencing statute in Texas provides a vehicle for jurors to give effect to mitigation evidence has been a critical factor when the United States Supreme Court has sought to determine its constitutionality. Unlike the majority of other American jurisdictions which maintain capital punishment as a penalty, Texas utilizes a particularly unique scheme which places an assessment of the defendant’s dangerousness at the center of the sentencing decision. Using data gathered from personally conducted interviews with forty-six former capital jurors and trial transcripts from each trial in which they served, this thesis demonstrates how the current sentencing scheme in Texas fails to provide jurors with an adequate vehicle for considering mitigation evidence. Beginning with an analysis of the process of jury selection this study examines the various ways in which the sentencing scheme is explained to potential jurors by the judge, prosecution, and defense attorneys. Of crucial importance is how the mitigation instruction is reconstituted by trial judges and prosecutors into an extension of the defendant’s potential future dangerousness. Emerging from this analysis is the central role that the interpretation of the sentencing statute by legal actors play in determining how jurors view the evidence presented throughout the trial, as well as what factors they believe they are legally permitted to consider in sentencing. The findings of this study strongly suggest that the focus of the sentencing scheme on the defendant’s dangerousness inhibits jurors’ ability to view mitigation evidence unrelated to the crime as mitigating. Thus, the Texas capital sentencing statute in its application appears to prevent jurors from giving effect to personal mitigation, an essential element of a constitutionally satisfactory death penalty statute.

In this dissertation the problems surrounding the sentencing stage and factors which influence the sentence are briefly considered. The emphasis is on the use and value of a pre-sentence report in determining suitable sentences other than imprisonment. Historical background in the use of pre-sentence reports in South Africa, England and America is briefly referred to. Relevant concepts, such as individualisation of punishment, are considered in relation to possible sentences such as compensation, fines, community service, and correctional supervision. It is concluded that the provisions of sections 274 and 276A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1 977 are not enough to regulate the use of pre-sentence reports in South Africa. It is further concluded that legislation is needed in this area, but in the meantime, our courts should work towards developing guidelines based on the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1 977. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.M (Law)

L’objectif de cette thèse est de comprendre de quelle manière le juge décide de la culpabilité de l’accusé, notamment dans les affaires de vol et de trafic de stupéfiants. En s’appuyant sur le programme ethnométhodologique et sur une enquête ethnographique, la recherche se penche sur l’ensemble de pratiques et raisonnements présents dans l’activité décisionnelle des juges, afin de rendre visibles les savoirs d’action mobilisés pour décider de la culpabilité. La thèse montre que la prise de décision est fortement marquée par la présomption de culpabilité qui découle d’un processus de catégorisation des justiciables en tant que « voleurs » et « trafiquants ». Ces catégories typiques sont associées à l’image de l’ennemi, c’est-à-dire, l’individu insoumis et incapable d’un modus vivendi commun (Jakobs, 2009). Prenant appui sur les analyses empiriques réalisées, l’étude fait une analogie entre la figure de l’ennemi et le concept d’homo sacer (Agamben, 1997; 2002) en proposant finalement que le verdict de culpabilité se construit à l’intérieur d’un « camp » - c’est-à-dire, un lieu de suspension de l’ordre juridique (Agamben, 1997) – qui se structure, paradoxalement, au sein même de la justice pénale. Mots-clés: sentencing ; vol ; trafic de stupéfiants ; verdict de culpabilité ; Brésil / This ethnographic study of the judicial practices in Brazil investigates how criminal judges decide the guilt of the accused. The research shows that this decision is strongly influenced by the presumption of guilt arising from a process of categorization of individuals as "thieves" and "drug traffickers". These categories are associated with the typical image of the enemy, that is to say, the individual unruly and incapable of common modus vivendi (Jakobs, 2009). Building on empirical data, the study makes an analogy between the enemy and the concept of homo sacer (Agamben, 1997, 2002), suggesting that the verdict of guilt builts inside a "camp", i.e, a place of suspension of the juridical order (Agamben, 1997).

The purpose of our study is to understand the process of sentencing in cases of filicide from an analysis of criminal and legal criteria on which judges base themselves as well as from an analysis of penal functions aimed by the sentences issued for this type of homicide. The sample studied in this paper consists of fourteen sentencing judgments rendered by the judges at the sentencing. These judgments were all issued in Quebec between 1996 and 2008 inclusive. It is clear from our analysis that the guilty plea recorded by the accused, the lawyers' sentence suggestions, the method of filicide, repetition of misconduct or not in the parent, the number of victims, the age of the accused, the presence or absence of criminal history of the accused as well as the professional occupation of the latter may influence judges' decision concerning the sentence. These elements, however, do not necessarily carry the iv same weight in the process of sentencing from one judge to another. Nevertheless, we observe that the discretionary power the judges have does not seem to be used in a biased or inadequate manner. In fact, every sentence is clearly justified according to reasonable arguments and none is far from other sentences that have made jurisprudence. / L'objet de notre étude consiste à comprendre le processus de détermination de la peine dans les cas de filicide à partir d’une analyse des critères légaux et pénaux sur lesquels les juges se basent ainsi qu’à partir d’une analyse des fonctions pénales visées par les sentences émises pour ce type d’homicide. L'échantillon étudié dans ce mémoire est formé de quatorze jugements sur sentence rendus par les juges lors du prononcé de la peine. Ces jugements ont tous été émis au Québec entre 1996 et 2008 inclusivement. Il ressort de notre analyse que le plaidoyer de culpabilité enregistré par l'accusé, les suggestions de peine des avocats, la méthode d'exécution du filicide, la répétition ou non du comportement fautif chez le parent, le nombre de victimes, l'âge de l'accusé, la présence ou non d'antécédents criminels chez l'accusé ainsi que l'occupation professionnelle de celui-ci peuvent influencer le choix des juges quant à la sentence. Toutefois, d'un juge à l'autre, ces éléments n'ont pas le même poids dans le processus de détermination de la peine. Néanmoins, nous observons que ce pouvoir discrétionnaire dont les juges disposent ne semble pas utilisé d'une manière partiale, voire inadéquate. En effet, chaque sentence est justifiée selon des arguments fondés et aucune d'entre elle ne s'éloigne des sentences ayant fait jurisprudence.

L’objectif de cette thèse est de comprendre de quelle manière le juge décide de la culpabilité de l’accusé, notamment dans les affaires de vol et de trafic de stupéfiants. En s’appuyant sur le programme ethnométhodologique et sur une enquête ethnographique, la recherche se penche sur l’ensemble de pratiques et raisonnements présents dans l’activité décisionnelle des juges, afin de rendre visibles les savoirs d’action mobilisés pour décider de la culpabilité. La thèse montre que la prise de décision est fortement marquée par la présomption de culpabilité qui découle d’un processus de catégorisation des justiciables en tant que « voleurs » et « trafiquants ». Ces catégories typiques sont associées à l’image de l’ennemi, c’est-à-dire, l’individu insoumis et incapable d’un modus vivendi commun (Jakobs, 2009). Prenant appui sur les analyses empiriques réalisées, l’étude fait une analogie entre la figure de l’ennemi et le concept d’homo sacer (Agamben, 1997; 2002) en proposant finalement que le verdict de culpabilité se construit à l’intérieur d’un « camp » - c’est-à-dire, un lieu de suspension de l’ordre juridique (Agamben, 1997) – qui se structure, paradoxalement, au sein même de la justice pénale. Mots-clés: sentencing ; vol ; trafic de stupéfiants ; verdict de culpabilité ; Brésil / This ethnographic study of the judicial practices in Brazil investigates how criminal judges decide the guilt of the accused. The research shows that this decision is strongly influenced by the presumption of guilt arising from a process of categorization of individuals as "thieves" and "drug traffickers". These categories are associated with the typical image of the enemy, that is to say, the individual unruly and incapable of common modus vivendi (Jakobs, 2009). Building on empirical data, the study makes an analogy between the enemy and the concept of homo sacer (Agamben, 1997, 2002), suggesting that the verdict of guilt builts inside a "camp", i.e, a place of suspension of the juridical order (Agamben, 1997).

The purpose of our study is to understand the process of sentencing in cases of filicide from an analysis of criminal and legal criteria on which judges base themselves as well as from an analysis of penal functions aimed by the sentences issued for this type of homicide. The sample studied in this paper consists of fourteen sentencing judgments rendered by the judges at the sentencing. These judgments were all issued in Quebec between 1996 and 2008 inclusive. It is clear from our analysis that the guilty plea recorded by the accused, the lawyers' sentence suggestions, the method of filicide, repetition of misconduct or not in the parent, the number of victims, the age of the accused, the presence or absence of criminal history of the accused as well as the professional occupation of the latter may influence judges' decision concerning the sentence. These elements, however, do not necessarily carry the iv same weight in the process of sentencing from one judge to another. Nevertheless, we observe that the discretionary power the judges have does not seem to be used in a biased or inadequate manner. In fact, every sentence is clearly justified according to reasonable arguments and none is far from other sentences that have made jurisprudence. / L'objet de notre étude consiste à comprendre le processus de détermination de la peine dans les cas de filicide à partir d’une analyse des critères légaux et pénaux sur lesquels les juges se basent ainsi qu’à partir d’une analyse des fonctions pénales visées par les sentences émises pour ce type d’homicide. L'échantillon étudié dans ce mémoire est formé de quatorze jugements sur sentence rendus par les juges lors du prononcé de la peine. Ces jugements ont tous été émis au Québec entre 1996 et 2008 inclusivement. Il ressort de notre analyse que le plaidoyer de culpabilité enregistré par l'accusé, les suggestions de peine des avocats, la méthode d'exécution du filicide, la répétition ou non du comportement fautif chez le parent, le nombre de victimes, l'âge de l'accusé, la présence ou non d'antécédents criminels chez l'accusé ainsi que l'occupation professionnelle de celui-ci peuvent influencer le choix des juges quant à la sentence. Toutefois, d'un juge à l'autre, ces éléments n'ont pas le même poids dans le processus de détermination de la peine. Néanmoins, nous observons que ce pouvoir discrétionnaire dont les juges disposent ne semble pas utilisé d'une manière partiale, voire inadéquate. En effet, chaque sentence est justifiée selon des arguments fondés et aucune d'entre elle ne s'éloigne des sentences ayant fait jurisprudence.

In this dissertation the problems surrounding the sentencing stage and factors which influence the sentence are briefly considered. The emphasis is on the use and value of a pre-sentence report in determining suitable sentences other than imprisonment. Historical background in the use of pre-sentence reports in South Africa, England and America is briefly referred to. Relevant concepts, such as individualisation of punishment, are considered in relation to possible sentences such as compensation, fines, community service, and correctional supervision. It is concluded that the provisions of sections 274 and 276A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1 977 are not enough to regulate the use of pre-sentence reports in South Africa. It is further concluded that legislation is needed in this area, but in the meantime, our courts should work towards developing guidelines based on the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1 977. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.M (Law)

Thesis (LLM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / This mini-dissertation seeks to evaluate the best interests of the child as a separate factor that influences the sentencing of a primary caregiver. When a parent is in conflict with the law, the child stands to be affected sentence that the court may impose on the caregiver. A custodial sentence has the potential of affecting the child’s right to parental care. Therefore, in the event where a custodial sentence is appropriate, alternative care of the child by other persons become a possible option. The author recommends that after applying the principles articulated in S v M and making use of a child impact report; the right of the child to parental care should carry more weight. Thus, courts should duly consider the best interest of the child as an independent factor when negative effects to the child are associated with the sentence. Where appropriate, with either a non-custodial sentence or adequate alternative care (in the case of imprisonment).

The concept of ‘social supply’ has emerged as a term used both in the UK, and internationally, to describe drug distribution that is non-commercially motivated and almost exclusively found between friends and acquaintances. Social suppliers have increasingly been presented as actors who are qualitatively different to drug dealers (proper), in relation to their motivation and their activity. As a result, they have increasingly become identified as a group who should be distinguished as such legally (Police Foundation, 2000; Release, 2009). While social supply behaviours can be identified in wider research literature relating to recreational drug use, there is a relative gap in regard to in-depth accounts of social supply activity, and in regard to a social supply definition. In a similar way, heroin and crack cocaine user-dealers - a group who are also perhaps not best understood as profit motivated suppliers - have received insufficient academic attention, with the majority of research references failing to go beyond typologies that recognise them simply as suppliers who also use. With research indicating that social supply permeates a meaningful section of adolescent and adult drug markets, along with evidence to suggest that drug supply embodies one of limited options for addicted drug users to fund their habit, this thesis explores how far we can understand these behaviours as drug dealing (proper). Using qualitative in-depth interviews and case studies, this interpretivist research design develops existing ideas, as well as highlighting emergent social supply and user-dealing themes. Findings from this research indicate that social supply behaviours are usefully understood through a theoretical application of ‘normalisation’ (Parker et al., 1998) and ‘drift’ (Matza, 1964) and are wider in scope than those currently recognised by the literature base. The research findings also indicate the importance of the notion of ‘economies of scale’ - an incentive for drug users to obtain a larger quantity of substance for a cheaper price. Notions of reciprocity also feature, with group obligation providing a rationale for involvement in social supply. The findings are also suggestive of the idea that user-dealing - understood through the theoretical gaze of Bourdieu’s ‘Theory of Practice’ (1990) - is characterised by limited distribution, minimal profit and explicated as a less harmful option than other crimes undertaken to fund drug dependence. This thesis concludes with the proposal that a conceptual shift towards ‘minimally commercial supply’ offers a more realistic and inclusive means of conceptualising both social supply and user-dealing activity. Possible ways forward therefore include the implementation of this term as a distinct offence that focuses on intent, thereby presenting a more proportionate approach than current policy responses for these groups allow.