Legal Definitions - definitive sentence

A definitive sentence refers to a final judgment issued by a court that specifies an exact and fixed period of punishment, such as imprisonment, or a precise amount for a fine. It provides certainty regarding the penalty imposed, meaning the duration or amount is clearly stated and not left open-ended or within a broad range. This term is synonymous with a determinate sentence.

• Example 1: Criminal Imprisonment

  After being found guilty of felony assault, a defendant is sentenced to four years in state prison. This is a definitive sentence because the court has specified an exact, fixed term of imprisonment (four years), leaving no ambiguity about the duration of the primary punishment.

• Example 2: Civil Financial Penalty

  In a civil lawsuit, a construction company is found liable for breach of contract and ordered to pay the plaintiff $75,000 in damages. This represents a definitive sentence because the court has determined a precise, fixed monetary amount that the company must pay, rather than a range or an ongoing calculation.

• Example 3: Criminal Probation and Community Service

  An individual convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) is sentenced to two years of supervised probation and 200 hours of community service. This is a definitive sentence because the court has set exact, fixed durations for both the probationary period and the required community service, clearly outlining the specific terms of the punishment.