third offence of a certain kind. This makes it difficult for fine gradations in punishments to be achieved. History The earliest use of the term with this meaning was in Roman law, where it indicated the opinion of a jurist on a given question, expressed in written or in oral responsa. It might also refer to the opinion of senators that was translated into the . Finally, it might also refer to the decision of the bench in both civil and penal trials, as well as the decision of the arbiters in arbitration. In modern Latin systems, the sentence is mainly the final act of any procedure in which a judge or body of judges is called upon to express their evaluation. It can therefore be issued in practically any field of law requiring a function of evaluation of something by a judge or judging body. Classification Sentences are variously classified depending on the legal field, or kind of action, or system it refers to: civil, penal, administrative, canon, sentence. sentences of mere clearance, of condemnation, of constitution. the issuing body, typically a monocratic judge or a court, or other figures that receive a legitimation by the system. the jurisdiction and the legal competence single judges, courts, tribunals, appeals, supreme courts, constitutional courts, meant as the various degrees of judgement and appeal. the content: partial, cautelar, interlocutory, preliminar , definitive sentences. sentence of discharge or briefly , also for other meanings condemnation. The sentences of condemnation are also classified by the penalty they determine: sentence of reclusion, sentence of fee, , sentence that impose a determined action or a series of action as a penalty for the illegal act. This kind of sentence became better developed and remained in wider use in common law systems. Philosophies The sentence meted out depends on the philosophical principle used by the court and what the legal system regards as the purpose of punishment. The most common purposes of sentencing are: Retribution Deterrence of the individual or of others Denunciation Incapacitation Rehabilitation Reparation In England and Wales, section 142 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 has specified that in cases involving those over 18, courts should have regard to punishment of the offenders retribution, deterrence, reform and rehabilitation, protection of the public, and reparation to persons affected by their offences. Process Usually, the sentence comes at the end of a process in which the