{"id":352255,"date":"2023-10-11T00:49:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T05:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-sentencing.html"},"modified":"2023-10-11T00:49:23","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T05:49:23","slug":"criminal-sentencing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-sentencing.html","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Sentencing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Criminal Sentencing<\/h1>\n
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\n By Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Sentencing is a key step of the criminal process. It determines the exact penalty the defendant faces for a conviction. Criminal penalties vary by type and severity. But even someone convicted of a crime has rights related to their sentencing.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Sentencing in criminal cases varies between federal law and state law. In federal court, judges must consult the federal sentencing guidelines<\/a> to impose an equitable sentence. Some state courts<\/a> use presumptive (pre-determined) sentencing guidelines<\/a> for felonies and misdemeanor criminal charges.<\/p>\n

Sentencing for criminal offenses can range from:<\/p>\n