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Article: Appeals Court limits reach of justice programs; Sentencing circles, in which the community recommends a punishment, can't go beyond what a trial court can legally impose, the judges ruled.(NEWS)
- Article from:
- Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
- Article date:
- May 3, 2000
- Author:
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Sentencing circles and judges can't be more creative than the law allows, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
In a Washington County case involving $6,500 in welfare fraud, the sentencing circle recommended that the woman would have no record if she met several conditions, including repaying the money and doing community service.
Sentencing circles, a form of restorative justice authorized by a 1998 statute, let the community recommend a sentence that is tailored to the offender.
The Appeals Court's reversal of the Washington County case is the first time that court has looked at circle sentencing, said Washington County Attorney ...