Legal Definitions - Sentence

Sentence

A sentence is the punishment given to a person who has been found guilty of a crime by a court. It can be a term of imprisonment or probation.

• John was given a 5-year sentence for stealing a car.
• The judge sentenced the defendant to 2 years of probation for drug possession.

These examples show how a sentence is the punishment given to a person who has been found guilty of a crime. In the first example, John was given a 5-year term of imprisonment for stealing a car. In the second example, the defendant was given a 2-year probation sentence for drug possession.