General Deterrence Definition: A sentencing objective which aims to discourage persons other than the offender, from committing a similar offence. A sentencing objective which promotes the reduction of crime by the threat or example of punishment to the population at large. Distinguished from specific deterence where the sentence is adjusted with a view to deter the specific offender before the court. See also deterrence and denunciation. 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!