Denunciation Definition: A principle of sentencing in criminal law; that the sentence send a clear message to the general public that the offence is serious and the punishment just. In Innes, of the Court of Apeal of Alberta wrote: "Specific deterrence refers to convincing this accused not to reoffend. It is often little needed by the time of sentencing."General deterrence refers to inducing others tempted to commit this offence not to do so. It is especially important with crimes involving premeditation or planning and persistence, and with crimes which are fairly common."Denunciation refers, in part, to convincing all the public that the offence in question is a true crime, a serious crime, one which respectable people would shun, and not obsolete, technical or minor. It also reassures the law-abiding, and informs everyone that the relationship between crime and punishment is considered, logical, and just."REFERENCES:R. v. Innes, 2008 ABCA 129 Categories & Topics: Criminal Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!