Jail Sentences

Question 1

Define the following jail terms

Answer 1

1) consecutive: two or more jail terms ordered by the court to run one after the other imposed when the defendant is convicted of more than one crime
2) concurrent: defendant is sentenced overall only for the length of the longest sentence imposed.
3) suspended sentence: does not go to jail unless commits another offence within a specified time period
4) fines: Max fine in mags court is £5,000 but employers can be fined up to £20,000. Compensation to victim too
5) community order: e.g unpaid work, curfew, receiving treatment for drugs/alcohol
6) conditional discharge : court hasn’t imposed a specific punishment but states that if the defendant commits another offence within a specified time period that he/she can be punished for the first and subsequent offence
7) absolute discharge: no punishment other than a conviction is necessary