A manslaughter conviction has a maximum sentence of life in prison, but does not carry a mandatory minimum. Donald Worme, a lawyer in Saskatoon, who is also a member of Saskatchewan's human rights tribunal, said there are six guiding principles that are considered during any criminal sentencing, including an attempt to denounce the crime and deter others. As well, Canada's criminal code provides for harsher sentences for crimes motivated by bias, prejudice or hate against identifiable groups. Though the four-day trial did not question Bushby's motivation, with no direct evidence that the act was intentionally racist, Worme said the local history of acts targeting the Indigenous community could be considered.