Legal Definitions - consecutive sentence

A consecutive sentence refers to a legal punishment where a period of imprisonment for one crime begins only after a previously imposed sentence for another crime has been fully completed. Instead of serving multiple sentences at the same time (which is known as a concurrent sentence), consecutive sentences are stacked, one after the other, significantly increasing the total time an individual spends incarcerated. Judges typically have the authority to decide whether sentences will be served consecutively or concurrently, often considering factors such as the severity of the offenses, the defendant's criminal history, and the need for punishment and deterrence.

• Example 1: Multiple Unrelated Crimes
  Imagine a person who commits a bank robbery in January and then, three months later, commits a separate act of grand theft auto. If convicted of both, a judge might impose a 10-year sentence for the robbery and a 3-year sentence for the car theft. If these are ordered to be served consecutively, the individual would first complete the 10-year sentence for the robbery, and only then would the 3-year sentence for the car theft begin. The total time in prison would be 13 years.

  How it illustrates the term: This example clearly shows one sentence (for grand theft auto) starting only after the other sentence (for bank robbery) has been fully served, thereby adding to the total duration of incarceration.

• Example 2: Distinct Crimes During a Single Event
  Consider a scenario where an intruder breaks into a home, steals valuable items, and also physically assaults one of the residents during the same incident. The intruder is charged and convicted of both burglary and assault. A court could decide to impose a 5-year sentence for the burglary and a 3-year sentence for the assault, to be served consecutively. This means the individual would serve the 5 years for burglary, followed immediately by the 3 years for assault, resulting in an 8-year total incarceration.

  How it illustrates the term: Even though the crimes occurred during the same event, they are distinct legal offenses. Serving the sentences consecutively means the punishment for one offense must be completed before the punishment for the other begins, ensuring separate accountability for each criminal act.

• Example 3: New Crime While Under Supervision
  Suppose someone is serving a 2-year sentence for a drug offense and is released on parole after 18 months. While on parole, they commit a new crime, such as felony shoplifting, for which they receive a 1-year sentence. A judge might order this new 1-year sentence to be served consecutively to any remaining time from the original drug offense (due to parole violation) or simply consecutively to the completion of any other legal obligations. This means the individual would first address the consequences of their parole violation and then begin serving the 1-year sentence for shoplifting, extending their overall time under correctional supervision.

  How it illustrates the term: This demonstrates how a new sentence can be "stacked" on top of existing or prior legal obligations, ensuring the full punishment for each offense is served sequentially rather than simultaneously.