Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: aging of accounts
Term: Imprison
Definition: When someone breaks the law, they may be punished by being put in a special place called jail or prison. This means they cannot leave and go wherever they want. The amount of time they have to stay in jail depends on how serious their crime was. For example, if someone did something really bad like kidnapping, they might have to stay in jail for a very long time, even up to 15 years. This is called imprisonment.
To imprison means to confine or physically restrict one’s personal liberty, usually in a jail or prison. This happens when someone breaks the law and is found guilty of a crime.
For example, in New York, if someone commits a Class A felony like murder, they could be sentenced to life imprisonment. If someone commits a Class E felony like theft, they could be sentenced to up to four years in prison. Even juvenile offenders who commit serious crimes like arson or kidnapping can be sentenced to at least twelve years in prison.
These examples show how imprisonment is a punishment for breaking the law. It means that the person who committed the crime has to give up their freedom and live in a confined space for a certain amount of time.