suspended sentence

[flashpig]

It doesn't quite have the ronseal quality.

If, say, you have a six month suspended sentence does it:

a) last for 6 months and you would get the full sentence if you did something else bad

or

b) last forever and carry a 6 month sentence if you did something else bad

?

[Hippy]

a) is the better answer. The sentence, whatever that might be, is suspended for six months so the offender can demonstrate that they have really mended their ways.

If, during that period, the offender is caught doing something illegal, and brought back to court, and is found to be guilty of the second illegal thing then the original sentence is applied in addition to any that might result from the second offence.

[Didwot]

The sentence is usually expressed along the lines of
"X months of imprisonment suspended for Y years".
If the defendant re offends during the Y years then the original sentence 0f X months can be activated.

[Lillabet]

I agree with Didwot, neither your option A or B is quite right. The sentence would be expressed as Didwot said: a six month sentence suspended for an amount of time.(up to 2 years) If no further offences were carried out in that time then the sentence would never be put into effect.

[acw]

Just to confirm - I agree with Didwot and Lillabet too. 

 

You're right though - it's not entirely ronseal!

[flaming]

Can anyonne appeal against a suspended sentence, I wonder?

[acw]

You can appeal against anything - if you can find good reason for doing so.  But beware, it's not like exam remarking (used to be) - it's not a case of get a second opinion and keep the lighter of the 2 sentences.  If the appeal judge also finds the person guilty and thinks the offence is more serious, he may impose a heavier, or more immediate sentence!!!   (As far as I know)