Legal Definitions - commitment document

A commitment document is an official court order that serves as the legal authorization for a convicted individual to be taken into custody and placed in a correctional facility, such as a prison or jail. It formally directs law enforcement or correctional authorities to incarcerate a person who has been found guilty of a crime and sentenced by the court, ensuring that the judgment and sentence are carried out.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Felony Conviction

  After a lengthy trial, a defendant named Mr. Henderson is found guilty of armed robbery and sentenced to seven years in state prison. Following the judge's pronouncement of the sentence, a commitment document is issued. This document is the formal instruction to the sheriff's department to transport Mr. Henderson from the courthouse to the designated state correctional facility, legally authorizing his detention there for the duration of his sentence.

• Example 2: Misdemeanor Sentence

  Ms. Chen is convicted of a misdemeanor for driving under the influence (DUI) and, due to her record, the judge sentences her to 90 days in the local county jail. The court then prepares a commitment document for Ms. Chen. This document is the essential legal paperwork that directs the county jail staff to accept her into their facility and hold her for the 90-day period as mandated by the judge's sentence.

• Example 3: Probation Revocation

  Mr. Davies was initially sentenced to probation for a non-violent offense, with a suspended sentence of one year in jail. However, he repeatedly violated the terms of his probation by failing drug tests and missing appointments. The court holds a hearing, revokes his probation, and orders him to serve the original one-year jail sentence. In this scenario, a commitment document would be issued, serving as the official court order instructing the correctional facility to take Mr. Davies into custody and ensure he serves the one-year jail sentence that was activated due to his probation violations.