This is from a document intended for the general UK
public.
"two firms pleaded guilty with full credit"
<-- does this mean that the firms pleaded guilty
unconditionally (whatever that might mean)?


"Safety legislation is being more rigourously enforced
and fines are increasing. For example, at courts in
XXX (places) during one month in 2003, two firms who
pleaded guilty with full credit in respect?@of
non-fatal accidents were fined 80,000 pounds and
100,000 pounds respectively. HSE aims to promote
compliance with safety law and the trend seems to be
moving towards those firms who find themselves in
breach paying an ever-heavier price."

I am not a lawyer, but I think this refers to the practice of reducing the
fine by a percentage if the accused person pleads guilty. The accused is
"given credit" for this plea. Presumably "full credit" means the maximum
permitted reduction of the fine.

FLINT

Nakeisha N. Ivory, 24, was sentenced by Circuit Judge William A.
Crane to 30 days in jail, with full credit, and two years of
probation for resisting and obstructing a police officer and
third-degree retail fraud Dec. 4, 2002, at Prime Outlets at Birch
Run, Birch Run. The judge ordered Ivory to pay $420 in fees and
fines. Ivory pleaded guilty.

FLINT

Jamilia L. Sadler, 33, was sentenced by Borrello to 400 days in jail,
with full credit, for attempting to resist and obstruct a police
officer June 30, 2003, at the Watering Trough Saloon, 7734 Gratiot,
Thomas Township. The judge ordered Sadler to pay $120 in fees and
fines. Sadler pleaded guilty.

This is from a document intended for the general UK
public.
"two firms pleaded guilty with full credit"
<-- does this mean that the firms pleaded guilty
unconditionally (whatever that might mean)?


"Safety legislation is being more rigourously enforced
and fines are increasing. For example, at courts in
XXX (places) during one month in 2003, two firms who
pleaded guilty with full credit in respect?@of
non-fatal accidents were fined 80,000 pounds and
100,000 pounds respectively. HSE aims to promote
compliance with safety law and the trend seems to be
moving towards those firms who find themselves in
breach paying an ever-heavier price."

This is from a document intended for the general UK
public.
"two firms pleaded guilty with full credit"
<-- does this mean that the firms pleaded guilty
unconditionally (whatever that might mean)?
"Safety legislation is being more rigourously enforced
and fines are increasing. For example, at courts in
XXX (places) during one month in 2003, two firms who
pleaded guilty with full credit in respect@of
non-fatal accidents were fined 80,000 pounds and
100,000 pounds respectively. HSE aims to promote
compliance with safety law and the trend seems to be
moving towards those firms who find themselves in
breach paying an ever-heavier price."

T. Z. wrote...
Full credit is often the result of "a timely guilty plea and
co-operation with the investigation". It's not part of the plea, but
the judgment.
I think this is the relevant law, although it doesn't talk about
"credit" it does explain the principle :-
Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00006--r.htm#152
and there's plenty on Google:
"The extent of the sentencing discount allowed will vary according to
the timing and circumstances of the plea. A defendant who pleads guilty
before venue is decided at the magistrates court will normally be
given full credit for so doing, which may amount to a discount of one
third, or more. Full credit will not, however, be given in a case where
the defendant, in effect, has little choice but to plead guilty."
"The Home Secretary's point about defendants playing the system to
get to the Crown court may have been a good one some years ago, but it
is now grossly exaggerated as it hardly happens at all--not least
because of the introduction of plea-before-venue, coupled with full
credit for early guilty pleas."
"the judge had said that if he pleaded guilty he would get full credit,
and the sentence would be below four years."
"The court gave him full credit for pleading guilty and imposed a 220 fine."

In message <chfpvc$bs9$1@titan.btinternet.com>, Tom
<tom@dataprotect.coNO.SPAMuk> writes
As far as the law in England and Wales goes the above is a pretty good
guide for the layman. However I did notice that the original quotes were
from a Canadian Publication. Given the wonderful flexibility of
English words ( especially in the mouths of lawyers) it is at least
possible that the Canadian meaning is different.