"Sentencing discretion" refers to the power or ability of a judge to make decisions about the punishment for a crime, based on their judgment, legal guidelines, and the specific circumstances of the case. Full definition
«The majority opinion reflects the persistent disregard in a number of judgments that this Court has issued of the clear and unequivocal directions of the Supreme Court of Canada that emphasize the importance of individualized sentencing and limit appellate intervention in the exercise of sentencing discretion by trial judges. (claytonrice.com)
These principles recognize the critical importance of judicial sentencing discretion and suggest the touchstone of federal sentencing should be district courts exercising reasoned judgment in response to case - specific factors and broader norms established by the Constitution and Congress. (sentencing.typepad.com)
However, it is important to note that these are high prestige appointments, well funded and operating within a criminal justice system that has high volumes of guilty pleas and low levels of sentencing discretion by the judiciary. (rogersmith.info)