The Alaska Court System and the Justice Center at the University of Alaska Anchorage have completed a video program on the role of the judge in criminal sentencing. The program, “Sentencing—A Delicate Balance,” covers the various factors which contribute to a judge’s decisions regarding a criminal sentence. A printed guide supplements the videotape. The production was funded by a grant from the State Justice Institute. Susanne DiPietro of the Court System was project manager and Antonia Moras of the Justice Center was writer-producer.
The video presents two sentencing scenarios: one for a misdemeanor and one for a felony. Judges from the Alaska Court System discuss the factors which shape the sentences for the two defendants—the Alaska statutorial and legal framework for criminal cases. The guildebook discusses each case in more depth and offers suggestions for presenting the video.
