How will the principle of mutual recognition affect repeat offenders?
Recognition of a decision taken in a criminal case in another Member State could affect the severity of the sentence. If it happens that a person who committed a crime in one Member State, already had a relevant conviction in another Member State, this might be regarded as an aggravating circumstance warranting a stiffer sentence. Taking into account a previous conviction should not, however, work only to the detriment of the offender. Criminal law in several Member States contains mechanisms to ensure that those convicted of several offences receive sentences that are not simply the sum of the sentences that would have been imposed for each conviction if sentenced individually.
