Legal Definitions - withheld sentence

Definition: A withheld sentence is a type of sentence where the defendant is not required to serve time unless they commit another crime or violate some other court-imposed condition. It is also known as a suspended sentence.

Example: If a person is found guilty of a crime and the judge decides to give them a withheld sentence, they will not have to serve time in prison as long as they follow certain conditions, such as attending counseling or staying out of trouble. However, if they fail to meet these conditions, they may have to serve the original sentence.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a withheld sentence works. The defendant is given a chance to avoid serving time in prison by following certain conditions. This type of sentence is often used for first-time offenders or for minor crimes where the judge believes that the defendant can be rehabilitated without serving time in prison.