Victims’ Rights and the Role of Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in Sentencing
Victims’ rights play an important role throughout the criminal justice process, including during sentencing. One of the ways in which victims are acknowledged within the justice system is through the consideration of their experiences through the use of aggravating factors at the sentencing stage. Section 718 of the Criminal Code establishes that the purpose of sentencing is not only to protect society, but also to promote respect for the law and to contribute to the maintena
