Types of Sentencing
The amount to be paid after guilty verdict has been decided as a financial penalty.
What is a Fine?
The person accused of committing a crime.
Who is the Defendant?
By saying this you are telling the court "I didn't do it." The prosecutor will have to prove that you committed the crime during a trial.
What is Not Guilty?
This person presides over the court, interprets the law and makes sure that you receive a fair trial. They also decide the sentence.
Who is the Judge?
Defendant goes straight to sentencing after this plea
What happens after pleading guilty?
A stated period of time where a convicted criminal offender is realeased into the community under the supervision of a type of officer in lieu of incarceration. The defendant must agree to specified standards of conduct such as: no drinking or drugs, no associating with known felons, no changing residences without permission and staying out of trouble.
What is Probation?
The lawyer who defends the person accused of committing a crime. They offer their own witnesses to present their client's version of the facts.
Who is the Defense Attorney?
By saying this you are telling the court "I did it." By doing this you give up the right to a trial and you accept the sentence that the judge gives you. You cannot change your mind once you enter this plea.
What is Guilty?
These are the 12 citizens randomly selected to observe the trial, listen to the arguments from both sides and decide the facts of the case. They also are responsible if the defendant is guilty or innocent. All 12 members must agree to a Guilty or Not Guilty verdict unanimously.
Who is the jury?
IF found true, with this plea, defendant will go to Central State Hospital for 45 days for psychiatric evaluation, then go to the nearest Mental Health Institute and be evaluated every year (depending on the charge/case).
What happens after pleading NGRI?
Work performed without pay to help people in the community or to assist a government agency
What is Community Service?
The lawyer who prosecutes cases on behalf of the people of the State. By questioning witnesses they try to convince the judge and jury that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Who is the Commonwealth Attorney.
You are telling the court "I am not going to fight the case. Go ahead and sentence me." This plea has the same result as pleading guilty and you will be sentenced as guilty and cannot change your mind later.
What is No Contest?
People called to the stand to give testimony about what they saw or heard relating to the case. They have to swear to tell the truth.
Who is the witness?
A complaint to a higher court to review the decision of a lower court to determine whether or not an error or injustice was committed by the lower court that should be corrected.
What is an Appeal?
Time that a defendant spends in the prison/jail serving a sentence
What is Active Sentence?
Decides verdict in Bench Trial
Who is the Judge?
You are saying to the court, "I did it, but I was mentally ill at the time." If you are found to meet this criteria you will be sent to a psychiatric hospital and your sentence could be anywhere from 6 months to indefinite.
What is Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity?
Decides the verdict in Jury Trial
Who is the Jury?
Defendant goes to trial after this plea and is able to keep their 2 rights.
What happens after pleading not guilty?
Time that is imposed by the court, but that the defendant does not have to serve as long as he complies with certain conditions.
What is Suspended Sentence?
This individual is the only one who has the right to accept or deny a plea bargain.
Who is Defendant?
Lose these 2 rights if when pleading guilty, no contest, and if found guilty after pleading NGRI.
What is the right to trial and right to appeal?
These individuals decide on possible plea bargains/deals
Who is a Defense Attorney, Prosecuting Attorney, and Judge?
Defendant goes straight to sentencing with this plea, *although not found guilty*
What happens after pleading no contest?