suspended sentence
A sentence of imprisonment which is not activated immediately, but may be imposed should the offender commit a further offence during the period of suspension, in addition to any penalty the later court imposes. Used in England and Wales for a number of years, suspended sentences may operate in conjunction with supervision by a probation officer. Partially suspended sentences, where the offender was required to serve the first portion of the sentence only, were abolished by the Criminal Justice Act (1991). If the suspended sentence is for a prison term of more than six months, the court may make a suspended sentence supervision order. Various rules apply where an offender is subject to more than one suspended sentence. A suspended sentence may be activated for a reduced term in some circumstances. Suspended sentences are not available in all jurisdictions (eg in Scotland).
| Criminal procedure |
|---|
| Criminal trials and convictions |
| Rights of the accused |
| Right to a fair trial · Speedy trial |
| Jury trial · Presumption of innocence |
| Exclusionary rule (U.S.) |
| Self-incrimination · Double jeopardy |
| Verdict |
| Acquittal · Conviction |
| Not proven (Scot.) · Directed verdict |
| Sentencing |
| Mandatory · Suspended · Custodial |
| Dangerous offender (Can.) |
| Capital punishment · Execution warrant |
| Cruel and unusual punishment |
| Post-conviction events |
| Parole · Probation |
| Tariff (UK) · Life licence (UK) |
| Miscarriage of justice |
| Exoneration · Pardon |
| Related areas of law |
| Criminal defenses |
| Criminal law · Evidence |
| Civil procedure |
| Portals: Law · Criminal justice |
A suspended sentence is a legal construct.
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