sentence legal definition

The pronouncement of punishment by a court following a criminal defendant having been found guilty of a crime.

 The handing down of a term of punishment by a court. 

See consecutive sentences.

Two or more periods of incarceration time that are to be served simultaneously. Concurrent sentences have the effect of being a single period of confinement, with the longer one being the limit; for example, a person sentenced to serve concurrent sentences of ten and twelve years concurrently will serve a maximum of twelve years.

The person is given no confinement, as long as she performs or does not perform certain specified acts. Failure to follow sentencing provisions may result in confinement after a hearing. See also probation.

Two or more periods of incarceration time that are to be served in succession. Consecutive sentences have the effect of being the sum of the periods of confinement named, so a person sentenced to serve consecutive sentences of ten and twelve years will serve a maximum of twenty-two years.

A sentence that will not be imposed unless the defendant fails to fulfill the conditions of probation.

A sentence of confinement for a specific length of time rather than for an unspecified period.

An infliction of a more severe period of confinement than is normal for an offense because the perpetrator is a repeat or habitual offender, or where there is a perception that the offender represents a continuing danger to society.

A sentence of an unspecified duration, such as from 10 to 25 years, or one that a parole board can reduce after the statutory minimum has been served.

A sentence spelled out by law and over which the judge has no discretionary power to tailor to the person being sentenced.

A sentence in which there is enough of a period of confinement to give the wrongdoer a taste of imprisonment, followed by a period of probation, with the second usually being the longer part of the term.

See conditional discharge sentence.