Provide one circumstance in which sentencing indications would be appropriate in determining a criminal case - VCE - SSCE Legal Studies - Question 4 - 2023 - Paper 1

One circumstance in which sentencing indications would be appropriate in determining a criminal case is when the accused is considering whether to plead guilty, but is apprehensive about the potential consequences of such a plea. For instance, the accused may wish to know the likely sentence before making a definitive decision.

In this situation, a sentencing indication from the judge could provide reassurance to the accused. By advising on the type of sentence that could be expected if the accused pleads guilty, the judge may help ease concerns regarding the outcome of proceeding to trial. If the indication suggests a more lenient sentence, it could significantly influence the accused's decision to plead guilty, thereby contributing to a more efficient resolution of the case and reducing the burden on the court system.