Draft guidance for a reduction in sentence for a guilty plea

The Sentencing Council collected data on the timings and levels of guilty pleas. The data suggests that levels of reductions in some cases appear to be higher than those recommended by the guideline.

The Council has designed the revised guideline for guilty plea reductions to clarify the levels of reduction appropriate for the different stages at which the plea is entered.

The revised guideline seeks to encourage those defendants who are aware of their guilt to enter a plea as early in the court process as possible.