Deterrence as an objective in the view of relevant South African court cases
Deterrence, in the context of criminal law, refers to the use of punishment as a means of preventing individuals from committing crimes in the future. In South African court cases, deterrence is often cited as an important objective in sentencing decisions.
One relevant South African court case that highlights the importance of deterrence as an objective is S v Baloyi (2015). In this case, the defendant was convicted of robbery and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. The court emphasized the need for deterrence in sentencing, stating that the sentence should serve as a warning to others who may be considering committing similar crimes.
Similarly, in the case of S v Govender (2019), the court also stressed the importance of deterrence in sentencing, particularly in cases involving serious offenses such as murder. The court noted that a strong deterrent sentence was necessary to send a clear message to society that such crimes would not be tolerated.
Overall, South African courts recognize deterrence as an important objective in sentencing decisions, particularly when dealing with serious offenses. By imposing deterrent sentences, the courts aim to prevent future crimes and protect the public from harm.