What are the purposes of a sentence? Section 3A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) sets out the ‘purposes of punishment’ which a court should consider when sentencing an offender. These are: Retribution or just punishment; Deterrence; Community protection; Rehabilitation; Accountability; Denunciation; Recognition of harm. Deterrence is a well-known sentencing principle and is regularly cited in court decisions, along with retribution, rehabilitation and community protection. Section 3A(b) states that the court must impose a sentence that “prevent[s] crime by deterring the offender and other persons from committing similar offences”. There are two distinct purposes for which a sentence may be imposed based on the principle of deterrence. These are General Deterrence and Specific Deterrence. Read More on Deterrence in NSW