While watching OJ's sentencing today, something crossed my mind. The attorney/s will give a plea for the client then the convicted person gets to essentially plead for their life or a short sentence. The judge patiently listened to all the attorneys as well as the convicted guys. Then she gave out the sentences.

My question. Does a judge ever change his/her mind about what the sentence will be based on the pleas from the attorneys & convicted or the victims and their families?

If not, then why allow the begging or the victim's impact statement?

Yes, the statements can affect the sentencing.

My cousin is a judge in TX and sits a lot of sentencing trials. Usually she goes into a sentencing with a strong idea of what she's going to rule, but often what she has in mind is a range of sentence times/options. She can be influenced to give a longer or shorter sentence based on the comments she hears.

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Sometimes a judge overrules the jury .