What is one of the goals of the three-step approach in sentencing?

The three-step approach in sentencing is designed to achieve several important objectives in the criminal justice system, including ensuring that the treatment of both victims and offenders is fair and just. This approach incorporates a detailed and systematic means to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the offense and the individual characteristics of the offender. It emphasizes the importance of balancing the needs of victims for justice and closure with the need to rehabilitate offenders and promote fairness in the legal process.

Through this structured method, the court can assess various factors, such as the impact of the crime on the victim, the offender's intent and background, and the broader societal implications. This promotes consistency in sentencing and helps uphold the principle of justice, ensuring that similar cases receive similar outcomes. The overarching goal is not only to punish wrongdoing but also to facilitate restorative justice where victims feel acknowledged and offenders have the opportunity for reintegration into society.

While other options mention processes related to legal proceedings or arrest, they do not encapsulate the fundamental principle of fairness that is central to the three-step approach in sentencing.