Legal Definitions - sentenced to time served

Definition: Sentenced to time served is a legal term used when a criminal defendant is sentenced to jail but is given credit for the time they have already spent in custody. This results in the defendant's release from jail.

Example: John was arrested for theft and spent 30 days in jail before his trial. At his trial, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail. However, since he had already served 30 days, he was released from jail immediately after the trial. This is an example of being sentenced to time served.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a defendant can be released from jail immediately after their trial if they have already served the same amount of time they were sentenced to. This is a common practice in the criminal justice system to ensure that defendants are not punished more than necessary.