Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: leges regiae
Definition: Lateral departure is a type of sentence in the federal sentencing guidelines that allows a defendant to avoid incarceration by serving their sentence through community or home confinement.
Example: If a defendant is sentenced to a year in prison but is granted a lateral departure, they may serve their sentence through community service or home confinement instead of going to jail.
This example illustrates how a lateral departure can provide an alternative to incarceration for certain defendants.