HSC Legal Studies · Crime · Chapter 4 · Student worksheet
Sentencing and Punishment — Activity Materials
Print or work on screen · pairs with the Chapter 4 lesson
Activity 1 — Match the purpose of punishment
Syllabus link: 4.2 the purposes of punishment
For each sentencing outcome below, name the main purpose of punishment it serves. Choose from the word-bank (a purpose may be used more than once).
Specific deterrenceGeneral deterrenceRetributionRehabilitationIncapacitation
| Sentencing outcome | Purpose |
|---|
| An offender is ordered to complete a drug & alcohol treatment program. | |
| A court imposes a long, well-publicised sentence to warn the wider community. | |
| A repeat offender is given a heavier sentence "so they think twice next time." | |
| A dangerous offender is imprisoned to stop them harming others. | |
| A sentence is set to be proportionate to the seriousness of the crime and to denounce it. | |
| A driver's licence is cancelled to stop them driving dangerously again. | |
Activity 2 — Aggravating or mitigating?
Syllabus link: 4.3 factors affecting a sentencing decision (s 21A)
Sort each factor into aggravating (pushes the sentence up) or mitigating (pushes it down) by writing A or M next to it. Then, in the box, explain one factor and why it changes the sentence.
| Factor | A / M |
|---|
| The offender used a weapon. | |
| The offender pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. | |
| The victim was elderly and vulnerable. | |
| The offender has no prior criminal record. | |
| The offence was planned and committed in company. | |
| The offender shows genuine remorse and good rehabilitation prospects. | |
| The offence was motivated by prejudice or hatred. | |
| The offender abused a position of trust or authority. | |
Explain one factor
Activity 3 — "You be the judge": sentence the offender
Syllabus link: 4.1–4.6 applying guidelines, purposes, factors and penalties
Read the scenario. Using the current penalty options (caution/s 10, fine, CRO, CCO, ICO, imprisonment), decide a sentence and justify it by naming the purpose(s) you are pursuing and the aggravating/mitigating factors you relied on.
Scenario A
A 19-year-old with no record is caught shoplifting $180 of goods, pleads guilty immediately, and is remorseful.
Scenario B
A repeat offender commits an armed robbery of a service station, threatening staff with a knife.
Scenario C
A first-time offender with a serious drug dependency commits a mid-range break-and-enter to fund their addiction.
Scenario D
A driver with prior convictions causes serious injury while drink-driving, but expresses deep remorse.
My sentence & reasons (choose two scenarios)
Activity 4 — Mandatory sentencing debate
Syllabus link: 4.1 mandatory sentencing; themes — discretion, balancing rights, law reform
Your class will debate: "Mandatory sentencing does more harm than good." Prepare your side. Use R v Jacobs (s 19B, murder of a police officer) and the one-punch laws as examples.
Arguments FOR the statement (against mandatory sentencing)
Arguments AGAINST the statement (for mandatory sentencing)
My best example + the theme it proves
Activity 5 — Update the notes: old penalty → current order
Syllabus link: 4.6 types of penalties (post-2018 reform)
The penalties on the left were abolished in 2018. Draw a line (or write the letter) matching each to the current order that broadly replaced it. This is a common exam trap — get it right.
| Abolished (pre-2018) | Your match (A/B/C) | Current order |
|---|
| Section 10(1)(b) good behaviour bond | | A. Community Correction Order (CCO) |
| Community service order / s 9 bond | | B. Intensive Correction Order (ICO) |
| Home detention (as a standalone order) | | C. Conditional Release Order (CRO) |
Take it further — resources
Real, reputable sources for your own research