When judges temper justice with mercy

WHY do they have concurrent sentences and consecutive ones? The answer lies in the human side of the law which says justice must be tempered with mercy.

Although many legal professionals believe that all convicted criminals should serve their sentences consecutively – as has now been decreed under the Criminal Procedure Code – others feel that mitigating circumstances should allow for concurrent sentences. Very often, it is up to the judge’s sole discretion as to how the defendant’s sentences should be served.