§ 15A-1340.12. Purposes of sentencing.
§15A‑1340.12. Purposes of sentencing.
The primary purposes ofsentencing a person convicted of a crime are to impose a punishmentcommensurate with the injury the offense has caused, taking into accountfactors that may diminish or increase the offender's culpability; to protectthe public by restraining offenders; to assist the offender towardrehabilitation and restoration to the community as a lawful citizen; and toprovide a general deterrent to criminal behavior. (1993, c. 538, s. 1; 1994,Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(b).)