Determining Weights and Assessing the Impact of Mitigating Circumstances in the Application of Criminal Punishment Using the Integrated Fuzzy DEMATEL–ANP Method
Keywords:
sentencing mitigation, fuzzy logic, DEMATEL, fuzzy analytic network processAbstract
Although judges frequently apply sentencing mitigation provisions when issuing judicial rulings for many offenses, limited efforts have been made to establish an appropriate framework for using these mitigation rules. Judges are often required to decide the extent of sentence reduction under conditions of ambiguity and uncertainty. The presence of various mitigating circumstances, each with differing levels of influence, makes this decision even more challenging. By using a decision evaluation system and drawing on expert opinions, the causal relationships among mitigating circumstances and their levels of influence and susceptibility were identified. Then, by employing the Analytic Network Process (ANP), the weight of each mitigating circumstance was determined. This combined approach, integrating the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Fuzzy Analytic Network Process, is referred to as the “fuzzy DANP” method. Based on the results of this analysis, the factor “plaintiff’s forgiveness” had the highest weight and importance in sentencing mitigation compared to other circumstances, while factors such as “special status and prior record of the defendant” had less weight and significance. Moreover, the factor “plaintiff’s forgiveness” demonstrated the greatest influence, whereas the factor “good conduct record” exhibited the highest susceptibility to influence.
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