Does a suspended sentence mean a judge didn't take what someone did seriously?

[GoodieMcTwoshoes]

I know it can't mean that really, but on the other hand it kind of feels that way sometimes, as really, the person isn't getting any consequences for what they did as long as they stay out of trouble for that couple of years or whatever.

Interested in your opinions.

Suspended sentences – Sentencing

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They still have a criminal record, which might restrict their employment options, and if they are done for anything else they have to serve it.

If means it’s serious enough for prison “passed the custody threshold” but can be managed in the community with conditions.

there’s always conditions.

No it usually means it’s a first offence or first of that nature. There will be additional requirements that they have to complete such as unpaid work and/ or a programme, sometimes a curfew or a drug or alcohol treatment programme. If they commit any further offences or breach their Order, the custody element could be activated.

In al truthfulness, it’s also that the prisons are full 😡.

A friend's (now ex) husband got a suspended sentence for fraud.

He still has a criminal record, and had to spend the next 2 years without putting a foot wrong.

Ultimately he came across an opportunity to make a lot of money and followed through with it. He's not the brightest spark so although he knew what he was doing was wrong, I'm not sure he was aware it was criminal. A prison sentence wouldn't have been right, and 5 years on he hasn't put a foot wrong.

So for some people, a suspended sentence is a sensible option.

It does make me annoyed that they spent 2 years living a wealthy lifestyle on money that was gained through fraudulent means. My friend also benefitted from this but was very naïve and just believed her husband's business was doing well. To be fair, it was doing well, but shouldn't have been doing THAT well!

It’s basically a community order with the consequence that if they don’t comply they can go to prison. It makes sense for people who have made a significant mistake that warrants consequences but custody would not reduce their risk of offending and they do not pose an active risk to the public such that they need to be in custody. So often where someone is not otherwise ‘criminal’ or has made real efforts to address whatever led to the offence if some time has passed, say they’ve addressed MH or substance misuse issues, got a stable job etc.