What's the Sentence for this Crime?

Jail? Fines? Community Service?

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If you've been charged with a crime, you'll want to know what kind of penalties and consequences you're facing.

How Bad Can It Be? Learn the Sentence

One of a defendant's first questions is, what am I facing? Here's how to find out.

Learning the Sentence for the Charged Crimes
The statute defining the crime may list the punishment, or may refer to another statute that lists penalties for various classes of felonies and misdemeanors.
Aggravating Circumstances in Sentencing
The crime alone doesn't determine the sentence: Courts consider the circumstances of the offense and information about the offender.
Mitigating Circumstances in Sentencing
Judges are free to consider almost anything that justifies reducing a criminal defendant’s sentence.
Concurrent and Consecutive Sentences, and Double Punishment
Defendants convicted of multiple crimes may serve sentences at the same time, or back-to-back. In some situations, they may be punished only for one.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Mandatory or Not?
Federal judges won the right to deviate from so-called mandatory sentences.
Aggravating Circumstances in California
In California, like other jurisdictions, judges can use a variety of factors to increase sentences.
Aggravating Circumstances: Sentence Enhancements
For certain serious offenses, enhancements related to the defendant's conduct or history can seriously increase the sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions like these often come up at sentencing.

Can a judge modify a sentence in my favor after I’ve been convicted and sentenced?
Modifications are rare.
Can a judge disregard a plea deal and give me a harsher sentence?
Judges usually honor plea bargains.
Will I get a tougher sentence if the judge thinks I lied?
Not every defendant who lies in court faces the judge's wrath, but lying usually creates a risk of stiffer punishment.
Criminal Sentencing FAQ
Find the answers to your sentencing questions here.