Legal Definitions - deserts

Definition: Deserts refer to what one truly deserves, especially the punishment that a person deserves for committing a crime. It is also known as just deserts.

• If someone steals, they deserve to be punished. The punishment they receive is their just deserts.
• After cheating on the exam, the student received a failing grade, which was their just deserts.
• When a person works hard and achieves success, they receive the rewards they deserve, which are their deserts.

The examples illustrate the concept of deserts, which is the idea that people should receive what they deserve based on their actions. In the first two examples, the individuals committed a wrongdoing and received a punishment that was appropriate for their actions. In the third example, the person received rewards for their hard work and effort, which was their just deserts.