Legal Definitions - Prior(s)

Definition: “Prior(s)” is a slang term often used in the law enforcement community to refer to an individual’s previous criminal record, generally including convictions and arrests. Prior convictions may result in harsher penalties under various state and federal sentencing guidelines.

Example: The judge took into account the defendant's prior convictions when determining their sentence for the current offense.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a person's prior criminal record can impact their punishment for a new offense. The judge may consider the defendant's past convictions and arrests when deciding on a sentence, which could result in a harsher penalty.