for example, a man was just sentenced to 240 years in prison for committing a hate crime. he's obviously not going to live past something like 120 years, so why was he sentenced to twice that amount?
2007-03-21 16:22:02 · 12 answers · asked by caffeinated052 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It's basically to drive home the point that he really screwed up. Also, multiple sentences that compound to astronomical sentences act to ensure that even if one or two of the sentences are overturned on appeal, he will still remain in jail based on the other sentences that were not overturned.
2007-03-21 16:26:26 · answer #1 · answered by Andy P 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the case you cited above, he was found guilty on multiple charges. Each charge of guilt brings with it a sentence of some sort
For example, a man is found guilty on three charges of assault, robbery and fleeing police.
Guilty on charge A: 10 years
Guilty on charge B: 5 years
Guilty on charge C: 8 years
The years can either be served consecutively or concurrently. If consecutively, then it would be the sum total of all the years (23 in the example above. If concurrently, then 10 years (the length of the longest count). Also, the jury must rule on each count that the defendant what charged. The jury may only find someone guilty of one of the three charges.
While logically it is impossible to serve more than one sentence, the multiple life terms is just an outcome of the judicial process.
2007-03-21 23:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by Gin Martini 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can spend more than their lifetime in prison, and senteces for more than 40 years do not delay possible probation. The reason juries hand down these types of sentences is they are try to send a message. It does not affect the acutal prison time of the criminal.
2007-03-21 23:27:05 · answer #3 · answered by lestermount 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just a way to make sure he never gets out, or if some of the charges are later thrown out he will still serve a life sentence.
2007-03-21 23:32:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is to make sure that he is never eligible for parole. It is to assure the public that they are safe from this human being. And it is to show others that if they commit a crime like it they will be sentenced to the same thing.
2007-03-21 23:47:46 · answer #5 · answered by nana4dakids 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
life in some states life equal 20 years served and then parole.
In these cases a person will have to serve approx 160 plus years before parole can be considered. So a point to the madness.
2007-03-21 23:32:08 · answer #6 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That should tell you something shouldnt it?The judicial system has tons of flaws (such is the nature of man).Not saying there could or would ever be a "perfect" system,however if you just scrutinize it for a short while you will be amazed at the multitude of injustice,hypocrisey,irony etc..How come homocide is unlawful while death is the penalty?
2007-03-21 23:26:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They just want to make sure he does'nt get out. What I'd like to know is how come we all have pay for him to live his life in prison? Bullets are cheaper!
2007-03-21 23:38:36 · answer #8 · answered by spikemode 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just a saying. And a way of making sure that he never ever gets out of jail.
2007-03-21 23:27:03 · answer #9 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's to show the severity of the crime.
2007-03-21 23:25:09 · answer #10 · answered by CC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋