A Level Law Practice Exam

What is individual deterrence?

1. Deterring an entire community from committing crimes

2. Imposing severe sentences to prevent an individual from reoffending

3. Encouraging rehabilitation of an offender through counseling

4. Providing incentives for community service

The correct answer is: Imposing severe sentences to prevent an individual from reoffending

Individual deterrence is a concept in criminal law that focuses specifically on preventing a particular individual from reoffending after they have committed a crime. This is achieved through imposing severe sentences, with the aim being to create a psychological barrier that discourages that individual from engaging in criminal behavior in the future. The nature of individual deterrence is rooted in the belief that by experiencing a significant and negative consequence for their actions, the offending individual will think twice before committing similar offenses again. The severity of the punishment can serve as a powerful motivator for the individual to conform to legal norms and avoid further criminal activity. The other options highlight different concepts in crime prevention or correction. For instance, deterring an entire community from committing crimes relates to general deterrence, which aims to discourage the broader population from criminal behavior through the fear of punishment. Encouraging rehabilitation focuses on reforming the offender rather than deterring them, and providing incentives for community service involves rewarding positive behavior rather than punishing negative behavior. Consequently, these options do not align with the specific aim of individual deterrence, which is centered on the response to the actions of one particular person.