The Sentencing Process
When a person has been convicted of a crime, regardless of whether through jury verdict, guilty plea, plea bargain, or judge’s verdict, his or her punishment terms are solidified during the sentencing phase of the trial. In most cases, a person will be sentenced soon after he or she is convicted, but in some cases dealing with serious felonies, the sentencing phase may be delayed so that different parties can be consulted.
Sentencing generally varies directly with the severity of the crime or misdeed in question. It can also be affected by state and national statutes, the defendant’s criminal history, the nature of the crime, or any number of other factors. A good lawyer, like Dallas criminal defense attorney Mark T. Lassiter, can help make sure your rights are protected and you do not receive an overly harsh sentence.
Factors in Sentencing
The presiding judge will consider various factors in the sentencing phase of a trial. Some considerations can include:
- Amount of damage done to victims
- Remorse
- Defendant’s criminal history
- Type of crime
- Personal circumstances of defendant
Forms of Punishment
A person’s sentencing can consist of a number of punishments or combinations of punishments, most typically including:
- Jail time
- Probation
- Fines or restitution payments
- Rehabilitation
- Community service
Contact Us
If you have been charged with or convicted of a crime and are worried about receiving a fair sentence, you owe it to yourself to get the best legal representation available. Contact the Dallas criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter today by calling (214) 845-7007.