What is the purpose of sanctions in the criminal justice system, and name two types of sanctions?

• A. To exonerate defendants; rehabilitation and probation
• B. To punish and deter; imprisonment and fines
• C. To inform the public; community notice and restrictions
• D. To overturn verdicts; appeal and retrial

Answer: (B)

Sanctions are penalties imposed after someone is found guilty, and they serve to hold offenders accountable while aiming to reduce future crime through punishment and deterrence. This question highlights punishment and deterrence as the main purposes, with two common forms of sanctions being imprisonment and fines. Imprisonment removes the offender from society for a period, signaling the seriousness of the offence and aiming to deter both the individual and others. Fines impose a monetary penalty that reinforces accountability and discourages reoffending without removing liberty. Other options don’t fit because exoneration would clear someone of guilt, informing the public isn’t a punitive goal, and overturning verdicts relates to appeals rather than sanctions.