Book Chapter
Details
Citation
Duff RA (2008) Whose Luck is it Anyway?. In: Clarkson CMV(MV & Cunningham SR (eds.) Criminal Liability for Non-Aggressive Death. Aldershot: Ashgate, pp. 61-78. http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9780754673347
Abstract
First paragraph: Dangerous driving attracts a maximum penalty of a heavy fine, or in the most serious cases up to six months¡¯ imprisonment; but if it causes death, the maximum penalty is fourteen years¡¯ imprisonment. Careless driving attracts a maximum penalty of a level 4 fine; driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs attracts a maximum penalty of a level 5 fine and/or up to six months¡¯ imprisonment: but if someone causes death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, the maximum penalty is again fourteen years¡¯ imprisonment, and for causing death by careless driving it is five years¡¯ imprisonment. Driving when unlicensed, uninsured or disqualified attracts maximum penalties of, respectively, a level 3 fine, a level 5 fine, and a level 5 fine and/ or six months¡¯ imprisonment; but an unlicensed, uninsured or disqualified driver who causes death faces a maximum penalty of two years¡¯ imprisonment.2 The difference between causing and not causing death in such cases might be purely a matter of luck; we therefore face the familiar question of whether and how it can be consistent with the demands of penal justice to allow ¡®outcome luck¡¯ to make such a dramatic difference to an offender¡¯s criminal liability.
Keywords
; Criminal law Philosophy; Criminal liability; Criminal procedure Moral and ethical aspects
Status | Published |
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Publication date | 31/12/2008 |
URL | |
Publisher | Ashgate |
Publisher URL | |
Place of publication | Aldershot |
ISBN | 978-0-7546-7334-7 |
People (1)
Emeritus Professor, Philosophy