New legislative changes could be in the offing to allow judges to hand down suspended sentences to criminals based on past behavior, age and other personal circumstances. According to judicial sources, officials from the Interior and Justice ministries, the Supreme Judicial Council and the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution are studying possible changes to the penal procedure law that will allow the courts to hand down suspended sentences for those who are found guilty of crimes that require public punishment. The new Articles state that a court must provide reasons for the suspended sentence and to also specify the duration of the sentence. Factors to be taken in account by the courts include the defendant's morals, past behavior, age, personal circumstances, criminal history and any other mitigating factors. However, the new articles state that if a defendant is given a suspended sentence and then commits another crime within three years, the court has the right to cancel the first judgment, without affecting judgment in the new crime. Another article states that a defendant's time in detention during a trial will be included as part of the sentence handed down. Anyone found to be wrongfully accused or having spent more time unfairly in jail, will be allowed to seek compensation at the same court where the sentence was first issued.
