This volume investigates the philosophical and practical justifications for criminal sentencing within a modern legal framework. The editors, Andrew von Hirsch and Hyman Gross, compile a comprehensive collection of essays from legal scholars and philosophers to examine the ethical dilemmas inherent in punishing criminal behavior. By analyzing various theories of justice, the text provides a rigorous academic foundation for understanding how societies determine appropriate penalties for offenders.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of sentencing theory. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for students and professionals in the field of criminal justice.