Legal Definitions - lateral sentencing

Definition: Lateral sentencing is a type of departure from the standard sentencing guidelines in federal cases. It allows a defendant to avoid incarceration by serving their sentence through community or home confinement.

Example: If a defendant is convicted of a non-violent crime and has a low risk of reoffending, the court may choose to sentence them to lateral sentencing instead of imprisonment. This means the defendant will serve their sentence in their own home or a community facility, under strict supervision.

This example illustrates how lateral sentencing is a deviation from the standard guidelines, allowing for a more lenient sentence for certain defendants who are deemed low-risk.