Fixed punishments have become a prevailing topic of discussion, and people have different views about whether the punishments for all types of crime should be fixed. From my perspective, other essential factors, such as the circumstances and motivations of an individual crime, should also be considered when deciding on the punishment.
There are two main reasons why it could be argued. Firstly, for judges, determining the punishments for criminals can be rather tiring and time-consuming, this because when deciding on the punishment, they have to consider all aspects of the crime and make the final decision carefully based on relevant laws. In this case, fixing punishments could make the judges’ work simpler. Secondly, in order to get lighter punishments, criminals are more likely to hide their true circumstances and motivations, which has the possibility to make verdicts unfair to victims.
However, I would agree with those who believe that there are other factors need to be considered when deciding on the punishment. Sometimes, circumstances and motivations could determine how serious a crime is. Taking car accidents as an example, those who killed others by their vehicles on purpose are very different from those who killed others by their vehicles by accident, it is obvious that these two kinds of people should have different punishments, because they have different circumstances and motivations. Moreover, considering different factors when determining the punishment is a protection for criminals’ proper human rights, and it is also a symbol of social civilization progress.
In conclusion, there are reasons to believe that fixed punishments should be introduced into judicial practice. However, my own view is that the circumstances and motivations of a crime are all significant factors in the process of deciding on the punishment.