GovWire

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You can ask for someones Crown Court sentence to be reviewed if you think its too low.

The Attorney Generals Office can review very low sentences given by the Crown Court in England and Wales if theyre asked to.

Only certain types of case can be reviewed, such as:

• murder
• manslaughter
• rape
• robbery
• some child sex crimes and child cruelty
• some serious fraud
• some serious drug crimes
• some terror-related offences
• some crimes committed because of the victims race or religion
• stalking that caused the victim severe distress or to fear violence
• harassment that caused the victim to fear violence
• controlling and coercive behaviour

Anyone can ask for a sentence to be reviewed - you do not have to be involved in the case.

Only one person needs to ask for a sentence to be reviewed.

How to get a sentence reviewed

Submit your request as early as possible so that the Attorney Generals Office has enough time to review it.

The Attorney Generals Office will review your request and decide whether to send it to the Court of Appeal, who can make a decision about the sentence.

The latest they can send the case to the Court of Appeal is 5pm on the last working day within 28 calendar days of the sentencing.

Start now

The Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal may decide that the sentence:

• should stay the same
• is unreasonably low (called unduly lenient) and may increase it
• refuse to hear the case

Contact the Attorney Generals Office