Sentencing reforms have been implemented or considered in recent years in Europe, North America, and Australia. Major initiatives have been undertaken in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and various Canadian provinces and Australian and American states. Most have been efforts to reduce sentencing disparities, among other and differing goals. Constitutional objections to limitation or elimination of judicial discretion have seldom been successful. The principle of respect for judicial independence to decide cases free from bias, partiality, or undue influence is distinguishable from the principle that the judge's sentencing discretion must be wholly unregulated. Reforms have included mandatory sentencing laws; statutory "fixed point" guidelines; presumptive, strengthened appellate sentence review; and improved information systems. What "works best" necessarily depends on the legal and political situation in each jurisdiction.