Legal Definitions - prior sentence

Definition: A prior sentence refers to a sentence previously imposed on a criminal defendant for a different offense, whether by a guilty verdict, a guilty plea, or a nolo contendere.

Example: If a person was convicted of theft in the past and is now found guilty of assault, their prior sentence for theft may be taken into consideration when determining their punishment for the assault charge.

This example illustrates how a prior sentence can impact a defendant's current sentence. The court may consider the defendant's criminal history when deciding on an appropriate punishment for their current offense.