I just heard on the TV that someone got life in prison plus 47 years. I never understood this. Life in prison is life in prison so what does this mean when they get additional time on top of life in prison?
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It’s symbolic. It’s a way of saying they deserve more punishment than a life sentence. But it’s also insurance in case they were to appeal and win on one of the counts – if they life sentence were overturned, they’d still be in for the 47 years.
The answers given are pretty good. But I just wanted to say that depending on the country you are talking about, a life sentence does not actually mean staying in prison for life. In Canada for instance, when given a life sentence, if it is first degree they are required to stay in prison for 25 years, if it is second degree or lower it is 10 years to 25 years.
So if a judge said a life sentence and that is it, they could parole after 25 years. If they got a life sentence plus 47 years. In Canada you can parole after 33% of your term is served so 25 years + a third of 47 so they could not get out until after 40 years.
Just another perspective.
Life in prison is often eligible for parole after 20.
Life in prison plus 47 would be eligible for parole in 44.
If one sentence is overturned the other still stands.
Lots of reasons to stack sentences together.
I saw a 3rd strike convicted child molester/rapist get 100 years for the main crime, then 5 years each for 2 counts of failure to register, 110 years total.
It means that in your next life you will still be required to serve time. So usually what happens is you get falsely accused and imprisoned.
In addition to what has already been stated, there are ways to reduce sentences in US prisons such as credits for good behavior or participating and completing programs offered by the prison. Stacking sentences often makes it impossible for the convict to be able to complete enough programs or gain enough credit to get out early.
I wonder if serving Life cereal a person who was sentenced to life in prison is considered cruel and unusual punishment.
No. The plus one day makes it technically impossible to parole. Paroles are only eligible on the exact date x years from conviction. If you have plus one day, your parole will never be available on x years plus one day. A technicality purposely built into the sentencing system to prevent the worst from ever being eligible for parole. SO is an attorney.
In some states, a life sentence could be commuted to a lesser sentence. When multiple sentences are stacked consecutively, the judge makes it much less likely for the defendant to be released.
the law requires it because every conviction has to receive a punishment. in some cases, a judge has discretion to combine sentences but in some cases there are mandatory minimums and in some cases it’s purely symbolic. clearly someone who is middle aged getting life without parole will almost certainly die in prison, just as someone who gets a 1000 year sentence, which does occasionally happen
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