dc.contributor.author |
Van der Merwe, Annette
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dc.date.accessioned |
2015-06-03T09:52:02Z |
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dc.date.available |
2015-06-03T09:52:02Z |
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dc.date.issued |
2014 |
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dc.description.abstract |
There is no absolute line between culpability and non-culpability (CR Snyman Criminal Law 5ed (2008) 176). This is confirmed by the existence of the concept of diminished responsibility, (a ‘tussenposisie’, according to A Kruger and VG Hiemstra Hiemstra: Suid Afrikaanse Strafproses 7ed (2010) 245), which is not a defence, but provides for reduction in sentence. The offender’s mental and emotional state at the time of the commission of an offence may be affected by a variety of either pathological or non-pathological factors (S Terblanche Guide to sentencing in South Africa 2ed (2007) 198-199). In the latter instance factors such as provocation, rage or jealousy may influence the offender to the extent that his or her power of restraint or self-control, compared to a normal person, is substantially reduced. In such a case the offender can rely on diminished responsibility as a weighty mitigating factor. In S v Mathe 2014 (2) SACR 298 (KZD) at paras [16]-[26] the court, with reference to precedent, highlighted important principles guiding an enquiry about diminished responsibility. Firstly, because diminished responsibility is not a definite condition but a state of mind varying in degree, each case will be determined on its own facts (at para [16]). The essential question is the extent, or degree, to which the particular circumstances reduced the powers of restraint and self-control of an offender. Gorven J noted as follows (with reference to S v Mnisi 2009 (2) SACR 227 (SCA) at para [5]): |
en_ZA |
dc.description.librarian |
am2015 |
en_ZA |
dc.description.uri |
http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/ju_sajcj |
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dc.identifier.citation |
Van der Merwe, A 2014, 'Sentencing', South African Journal of Criminal Justice, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 453--466. |
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dc.identifier.issn |
1011-8627 (print) |
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dc.identifier.issn |
1996-2118 (online) |
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dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/45387 |
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dc.language.iso |
en |
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dc.publisher |
Juta Law |
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dc.rights |
Juta Law |
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dc.subject |
Sentencing |
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dc.subject |
South Africa (SA) |
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dc.subject |
Diminished responsibility |
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dc.subject |
Proprietorial attitude towards women |
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dc.subject |
Period of imprisonment awaiting trial |
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dc.subject |
Expert evidence |
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dc.subject |
Pre-sentence reports |
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dc.subject |
Accused’s emotional state |
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dc.subject |
Murder |
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dc.subject |
Rape of children |
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dc.title |
Sentencing |
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dc.type |
Article |
en_ZA |