The government is considering doubling the maximum prison sentence available to magistrates from five to 10 years as part of proposed reforms targeting serious sexual and firearm offences.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the administration is also examining an increase in the High Court sentencing threshold to 20 years.

“At the level of the Magistrates’ Court, the maximum is five years,” Browne said during the Browne and Browne Show. “We’re going to increase theirs as well. Maybe we’ll probably take it up to 10, and maybe we’ll take the High Court to 20.”

Browne said serious offences requiring longer sentences can currently be transferred from the Magistrates’ Court to the High Court.

The proposed increases form part of the government’s wider plan to introduce minimum penalties and reduce what Browne considers excessive sentencing discounts for guilty pleas and good behaviour.

The prime minister has argued that current sentencing practices allow people convicted of serious crimes to serve only a fraction of the terms Parliament intended.

No legislation has yet been introduced, and Browne’s use of “maybe” indicates that the proposed 10- and 20-year limits remain under consideration. Final sentencing ranges would require parliamentary approval.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: VIDEO: Government Considering Increasing Magistrates’ Sentencing Power to 10 Years.