The court may impose a range of sentences as defined by the statute".
Judge Jonathan Teare gave the activists a range of sentences ranging from 18 months' conditional discharge to 90 hours' unpaid work.
These provide a range of sentences that could be given for particular types of crime, including theft, burglary or robbery".
The MoJ research looked at the reoffending rates of "matched" samples of offenders given a range of sentences between 2005 and 2008.
Legal experts note that a judge can choose from a range of sentences for manslaughter, known in South Africa as culpable homicide.
"Essentially the guideline maintains the previous sentencing practice with the exception of drug mules and large-scale production offences where the range of sentences is slightly greater than previously".
Besides making his public overtures about a possible plea for a life sentence, Mr. Owmby said local prosecutors had never faced such a case and had concluded that a jury should have a full range of sentencing options, including death.
Because murder is a capital offense in Arizona, she said, "a death sentence does not extend the range of sentencing" and consequently does not pose a problem under Apprendi.
The range of sentences the defendants face reflects "Mr. Dillon's role as the leader," Mr. Arbeznik said, adding, "He's the guy who had the access to get to the gold, so to speak".
Mr. Rosenthal, the district attorney, said the trial had concluded as "we had predicted," and he repeated his position that he had pursued the death penalty so jurors would have a full range of sentencing options.
