Which principle holds that similar crimes should be punished with the same degree of severity, regardless of the social personal characteristics of the offenders?

• A. Deterrence
• B. Restoration
• C. Equity
• D. Proportionality

Answer: (C)

Equity in sentencing means treating people who commit similar crimes under similar circumstances the same way, regardless of personal characteristics such as race, gender, or social status. This emphasis on fair, unbiased application of punishment ensures that punishment is not influenced by who the offender is, but by what they did.

Deterrence focuses on preventing future crime by making punishment a deterrent, rather than on fairness between offenders. Restoration centers on repairing the harm caused by the offense and reintegrating the offender into the community. Proportionality ties the punishment to the seriousness of the offense itself, which can allow for differences based on the specifics of the crime or mitigating/ aggravating factors. The scenario described aligns best with equity because it calls for identical treatment of offenders who commit similar offenses, independent of who they are.