Correcting the manifest error that is the approach to manifest error in sentencing appeals

Journal article

Anderson, John, Bagaric, Mirko and Murphy, Brendon. (2023). Correcting the manifest error that is the approach to manifest error in sentencing appeals. University of New South Wales Law Journal. 46(3), pp. 1039-1062.
AuthorsAnderson, John, Bagaric, Mirko and Murphy, Brendon
Abstract

Manifest error is the most common appeal ground for sentencing decisions. It is also the most obscure. The courts have held that the ground does not admit of much argument and that no great assistance can be derived from decisions in other cases. This approach is misguided and has resulted in a high degree of unpredictability. Logically, in order to conclude that a sentence is too harsh or too lenient, it is necessary to have a mathematical reference point. A coherent approach to manifest error appeals requires courts to base their decisions on statistical information regarding sentencing ranges for the offence in question and to make comparisons with specific cases. The approach suggested in this article to manifest error appeals would make decisions in sentencing appeals more predictable and enable appeal courts to provide clearer guidance to lower courts regarding appropriate sentencing outcomes.

Keywordsdecision making; evaluation; jurisdiction; law reform ; methodology; sentences (criminal procedures); transparency
Year01 Jan 2023
JournalUniversity of New South Wales Law Journal
Journal citation46 (3), pp. 1039-1062
PublisherUniversity of New South Wales Faculty of Law
ISSN0313-0096
Web address (URL)https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=b69f998d-a228-4fde-b12b-c12b4e5fe954%40redis
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1039-1062
Publisher's version
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All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online01 Jul 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted2023
Deposited20 Jun 2024
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Place of publicationAustralia
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