sentencing
The imposition of a criminal sanction by a judicial authority
retribution
The act of taking revenge on a criminal perpetrator.
Just Deserts
A model of criminal sentencing that holds that criminal offenders deserve the punishment they receive at the hands of the law and that punishments should be approproiate to the type and severity of the crime committed
Incapacitation
The imprisonment or other means to reduce the likelihood that an offender will commit future offenses
deterrence
A goal of criminal sentencing that seeks to inhibit criminal behavior through fear of punishment
specific deterrence
a goal of criminal sentencing that seeks to prevent a particular offender from engaging in repeat criminality
general deterrence
a goal of criminal sentencing that seeks to prevent others from committing crimes similar to the one for which a particular offender is being sentenced by making an example of the person sentenced.
rehabilitation
The attempt to reform a criminal offender.
restoration
A goal of criminal sentencing that attempts to make the victim "whole again
restorative justice
a sentencing model that builds on restitution and community participation in an attempt to make the victim "whole again
Indeterminate sentencing
A model of criminal punishment that encourages rehabiliation through the use of general and relatively unspecific sentences such as term from one to ten years.
consecutive sentencing
one of two or more sentences imposed at the same time, after conviction for more than the other sentence.
concurrent sentencing
One of two or more sentences imposed at the same time, after conviction for more than one offense, and served at the same time.
Gain time
the amount of time deducted from time to be served in prison on a given sentence as a consequence of participation in special projects or programs
Good time
The amount of time deducted from time to be served in prison on a given sentence as a consequence of good behavior
proportionality
a sentencing principle that holds that the severity of sanctions should bear a direct relationship to the seriousness of the crime committed.
equity
a sentencing principle based on concerns with social equity that holds similar crimes should be punished with the same degree of severity, regardless of the social or personal characteristics of offenders
social debt
a sentencing principle that holds that an offender's criminal history should objectively be taken into account in sentencing decisions
structured sentencing
a model of criminal punishment that includes determinate and commission-created presumptive sentencing schemes as well as voluntary/advisory sentencing guidelines
Determinate sentencing
a model of criminal punishment in which an offender is given a fixed term of imprisonment that may be reduced by good time or gain time.
Voluntary/advisory guidlines
recommended sentencing policies that are not required by law.
presumptive sentencing
a model of criminal punishment that meets the following conditions 1.) The appropriate sentence for an offender convicted of a specific charge is presumed to fall within a range of sentencing authorized by sentencing guidelines that are adopted by a legis
aggrevating circumstances
Circumstances relating to the commission of a crime that make it more grave than the average instance of that crime
mitigating circumstances
circumstances relating to the commission of a crime that may be considered to reduce the blameworthiness of the offender
truth in sentencing
a close correspondence between the sentence imposed on an offender and the time actually served in prison.
madatory sentencing
a structured sentencing scheme that allows no leeway in the nature of the sentenceimposed.
alternative sentencing
the use of court-ordered community service, home detention, day reporting, drug streatment, psychological counseling, victim-offender programming, or intensive supervision in lieu of other, more traditional sanctions, such as imprisonment and fines
presentence investigation PSI
the examination of convicted offender's background prior to sentencing,
victim-impact statement
an in-court statement made by the victim or survivors to sentencing authorities seeking to make an informed sentencing decision
capital punishment
the death penalty.
capital offense
offense punishable by death
writ of habeas corpus
a write that directs the person detaining a prisoner to bring him or her before a judicial officer to determine the lawfullness of the imprisonment