a judge deciding on the appropriate consequence for someone guilty of an offence.
After a defendant's guilty plea is accepted or he or she is found guilty after a trial, the judge decides what happens. The defendant may be sent to prison or jail, or the sentence may be "suspended" and the defendant put on probation. Probation means the defendant is left free as long as he or she does what the judge has told him to do. He or she may also be placed in other programs, such as the Diversion Center.
The hearing at which the court imposes sentence. Sentencing follows a guilty plea or a finding of guilt by a jury or judge.
Final step on the legal process, in which a penalty is applied by a judge for someone who is convicted of or plead guilty to a crime.
The legal process in which a defendant who has been found guilty of a crime hears in court what punishment will be imposed against him.
The punishment given to the offender after he or she has been found to be guilty of the crime committed. Sentencing occurs after the verdict of "guilty" has been announced or after a guilty plea is entered, usually no more than 30 days after the end of the trial.
The judgement of a court concerning the defendant’s punishment.
After a defendant pleads guilty to a crime, or is found guilty of a crime after a trial, sentencing is the time when the court decides what punishment to give to the defendant.
in most drunk driving cases, the provisions of a sentence will involve at least some or all of the following: fine; jail time; suspension; restriction or revocation of license; attendance at drunk driving classes; and probation (supervised or informal).
Added - 09 Thu March 2006 In all court cases only the judge can decide on the appropriate sentence. There are various options open to the judge depending on the severity of the crime. In certain circumstances the defendant may appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Many factors are taken into account on this hearing date including: What punishment the law requires for the crime of which he/she was found guilty. People may testify at the sentencing hearing on his/her behalf. What is said may be considered. A victim, or a representative of a deceased victim, may give a statement which explains how his or her life has been affected by the defendant's actions. The victim can explain emotional, financial and physical changes which are attributable to the violent crime committed. This statement must be in writing and prepared in conjunction with the State's Attorneys Office. The Court Services Department conducts a study of the defendant's background, the crime involved and the events surrounding his/her life, in order to make a report with recommendations to the court. The Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) is an extensive history of the defendant. The victim may be contacted by a probation officer to give their feelings on the case so the probation officer can include, in written form, how the victim has been affected.
A court proceeding at which a sentence is imposed.
If you are found guilty, a judge will sentence you immediately after a trial. For a first offense OUI guilty finding, you will typically be sentenced to a year's probation, a number of fines, and an alcohol treatment program. A second offense requires a two week inpatient alcohol program. A third offense OUI conviction has a mandatory jail sentence of 5 months.