There is occasional confusion about appeals. The rule is that a sentence should be altered on appeal only if it is "manifestly wrong". This is a long-standing and a sound principle and it reacts to the advantage of the public as well as the individual. Until 1966 the Crown had no right of appeal against sentence. This was the privilege of the offender alone. A right of appeal was given to the Crown in 1966 against the sentence of a Judge and a Bill is now passing through Parliament extending this provision to sentences imposed by Magistrates.