What is the punishment or penalty imposed by a court after a defendant is found guilty?

• A. The process of appealing a conviction.
• B. The punishment or penalty imposed by a court after a defendant is found guilty.
• C. The date of sentencing.
• D. The final disposition of the case.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is the term for the punishment decided by the court after a defendant is found guilty: the sentence. The sentence is the formal sanction assigned for the offense and can take various forms—imprisonment, probation, fines, restitution, or community service, or a combination of these. The date of sentencing is simply when the judge announces that punishment, not the punishment itself. The final disposition refers to the overall outcome of the case, which can include the sentence but is a broader term than the punishment alone. The option given essentially defines what a sentence is, which is why it’s the best choice.