Most people think that the sentencing given to criminals is completely unjust. Rate my Crime... is a social experiment to find out exactly how unjust it really is.

We asked for volunteers who had been found guilty of a crime to tell us the rough details of the crime, if they pleaded innocent or guilty, the amount of punishment (time) they expected and also the amount of punishment they actually received.

Now we ask you to read the details of the crime, and award a sentence – presuming the person was found guilty. After you have given your sentence, the actual sentence will be revealed!

Do I have to join? No, you can make judgements without joining.

The crime...

The defendant was convicted of the following crime:

Assault and murder of a baby

The reported facts of the case:

The defendent repeatedly punched five-month-old baby in what he described as "fits of passion". An autopsy revealed the shocking extent of the baby's injuries. She died from a perforated small intestine – but also suffered a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, four fractured ribs, a haemorrhaged liver and bruises on her head, face, chest and neck. The defendent told police he punched her whenever his anger burst from him. Eventually the baby girl became ill, crying, vomiting and gasping for breath. Despite being encouraged to seek medical help, the defendent and his wife gave their daughter painkillers and went to bed. She was dead by the morning.

How serious do you view this crime? (click 1 star for not serious, 10 stars for very serious)

If you were the Judge, what would be your sentence?
(approx.)
(optional 2nd sentence)

(Click next to reveal the actual sentence, or click here to view a different crime)