What this tool is for

Sentencing in England and Wales follows guidelines set by the Sentencing Council, but the way those guidelines apply to a particular case depends on the offence, the circumstances, and the person in the dock. This tool takes the details you give it and produces a plain English summary of the likely sentencing range, the factors the court will weigh up, and what each possible outcome would actually mean day to day.

It is a guide, not a prediction. No tool can tell you exactly what a judge or magistrate will decide, but it can give you a realistic idea of what is on the table.

Who it is for

It is aimed at people who are facing sentencing themselves, or who have a family member, partner or friend going through it. It is also useful if you have just been charged and want to understand what the worst and best case outcomes might look like before you decide how to plead.

It covers the most common offences dealt with in the magistrates' and Crown Courts, including driving offences, theft and fraud, drug offences, assault, and public order matters. If your case involves something unusual or very serious, the summary will still be useful background, but you should speak to a solicitor about the specifics.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about the offence, any previous convictions, whether a guilty plea has been entered, and any personal circumstances the court is likely to hear about. The tool then explains the sentencing range that usually applies, what would push a sentence up or down, and what a fine, community order, suspended sentence or custodial sentence would involve in practice, including how much of a prison sentence is typically served before release on licence. Your answers are not saved, and you do not need to give your name or any identifying details.