DETERRENCE

deterrence,n. The act or process of discouraging certain behavior, particularly by fear; esp., as

a  goal  of  criminal  law,  the  prevention  of  criminal  behavior  by  fear  of  punishment.  Cf.

REHABILITATION(1);  RETRIBUTION  (1).  [Cases:  Sentencing  and  Punishment    41.]  —

deter,vb. — deterrent,adj.

general deterrence.A goal of criminal law generally, or of a specific conviction and sentence,

to discourage people from committing crimes.

special deterrence.A goal of a specific conviction and sentence to dissuade the offender from

committing crimes in the future. [Blacks Law 8th]