There is an ongoing debate on the merits of having a rigid discipline system in place for all crimes committed.

This essay will firstly discuss, how having fixed punishments could lead to a more competent judiciary system
as the biggest advantage. Secondly, this essay will discuss how this may lead to people being punished in the
same way for both minor and major crimes as the primary disadvantage.

On the one hand, the main advantage of having a standardised punishment system could lead to a downward
trend in crime, as the system would serve as a deterrent. This would allow the courts to easily hand out justice
to all criminals, in order to make the judiciary system more powerful. For example, in some states in the USA,
there are tough sanctions in place for criminals, including death by lethal injection. In 2014, the New York
Times reported that up to 65% of criminals who were incarcerated for high-level crimes (murder,
manslaughter) received the lethal injection.

On the other hand, the primary disadvantage of having fixed punishments is that people who have committed
low-level crimes may also be given harsh sentences, in the same way as those who have been sentenced for
high-level crimes. This may make the system unjust, as the punishment should befit the crime. For instance, a
person who may have acted in self defence, should have their case heard in full, before being given a
punishment befitting of someone who has been part of a violent act.

In conclusion, fixed punishment offers an interesting choice for effective crime deterrence and a faster judicial
process.   However, its inherent flaw in generalising all crime without carefully considering mitigating
circumstances would compromise the very essence of justice and should warrant a closer study before fully
implementing it to any modern judicial system.
Paragraph 1 - The Introduction

This is the introduction to the essay and where you should start off by paraphrasing
the question. 

Paragraph 2 - Main Body Paragraph 1

In this paragraph, you should describe the main advantage.

Start the paragraph by introducing the main advantage. This is where you need to
have a topic sentence. The next sentence(s) should explain, going into detail. The
third sentence should give an example that supports the advantage.

The example you give could be something from your own experience  or made up.
You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University study. 

This is how the paragraph should look >>

• Introduce the advantage (topic sentence)

• Explain/give detail

• Example
Paragraph 3 - Main Body Paragraph 2

In this paragraph, you should write about the main disadvantage.

Start the paragraph by introducing the disadvantage. This is where

you need to have a topic sentence. The next sentence(s) should
explain, going into detail. The third sentence should give an example.

The example you give could be something from your own experience
or made up.

This is how the paragraph should look >>

• Introduce the disadvantage (topic sentence)

• Explain/give detail

• Example
Paragraph 4 - The Conclusion

In the fourth paragraph, you write the conclusion giving a

summary of your main points  and say what you think
were most important pros and cons. You should not enter
any new information or ideas in this paragraph. 

You can end your conclusion with a balancing statement

that tells the reader why one side is better than the other.
For example, using words like outweigh, balance out,
compensate for, exceed and make up for. 

• Summary of the main points

• What you think were the most important pros and cons