On strict criminal sentencing

Abstract

Following the analysis of sentencing statistics, the author shows that Hungarian criminal sentencing cannot be seen as mild. Adjusted to the seriousness of the crime and the criminal record of the defendant, sentencing had followed a consistent pattern in the past years. Therefore the real question is not centered on the strictness or mildness of the sentencing practice, rather, it concerns proportionality, fairness and how the offense and the offender had been identified by the court.