Gabrielle SalineCriminal justice - Module 3"There is only one fundamental human right, the right to do whatever you want unless it causes harm harm to others. With it comes the only fundamental human duty, the duty to assume the consequences." PJ O’Rourke. Many citizens do not understand the purpose of the justice system in determining criminal sentences. In this essay, I will explain the purpose of criminal sentencing, the different forms of sentencing, and some reforms that have been proposed in Congress. Traditionally, penalties ranged from imprisonment to fines, probation and, if the crime was very serious, death. Years ago, it was believed that crime was caused by sin and that suffering was the punishment of the criminal. Capital punishment, torture and painful corporal punishment were the consequences. Recently, many believe that separating offenders will limit their potential for future crime. While we continue to believe that the offenders deserve to be punished, hope has not been lost for their recovery. There are five main purposes of criminal conviction, punishment, incapacitation, deterrence, rehabilitation and restoration. Each of these goals has a purpose that suits not only society but also the criminal. The goal of retribution is a “just desserts” perspective that emphasizes revenge on a criminal perpetrator or group of offenders. It refers to the “just desert” model, according to which offenders are responsible for their crimes. Retribution views punishment as justified, deserved, and sometimes even demanded by the offender's behavior. The main punishment for "righteous deserters" is mainly imprisonment, but sometimes, in extreme cases, capital punishment becomes the crucial punishment. Retribution is always a primary goal of criminal sentencing. Disability is...... middle of paper ...... federal sentences cover federal offenses as a whole, drug trafficking, immigration offenses, weapons offenses firearms, fraud offences, child pornography offences, professional offenders and relevant behaviours. The most current issues in federal sentencing are the replacement of guidelines with mandatory minimum and maximum sentences. After a few federal cases, Professor Frank Bowman proposed changing the guideline choices in the sentencing table "to increase the top of each guideline range to the statutory maximum of the offense(s) giving rise to the sentence." a conviction.” (USSC.GOV) There is a group called the Sentence Project that works for a fair and effective criminal justice system here in the United States. Their primary mission is to reform sentencing policies, promote alternatives to incarnation, and combat racial inequalities and unjust practices. (PROJECT)