The Meaning of a Split Sentence

When a defendant is charged with a crime, and later found guilty of their charges, they will face sentencing by a judge. A defendant’s sentence will depend on several factors, all of which will further differ among jurisdictions. A common outcome for convicted criminals is a split sentence. Continue reading to learn more about split sentences, including eligibility standards, possible drawbacks, and more.

Split Sentencing

A split sentence is simply one sentence separated into two parts, namely serving as an alternative to an extended prison sentence. For instance, if a defendant is sentenced to jail time, followed by a period of probation, they are being given split penalization. There are many assumptions as to why courts have adopted this form of penalization, some of which include jail overcrowding, trade and industry losses, and progressive movements in the judicial system. Regardless of the reason why it exists, split penalization is a real possibility for many defendants convicted of a felony crime.

In most cases, a judge decides where to make the split between incarceration and probation, in terms of time. A convicted felon may serve 3 years in prison and 5 years on probation, while another may serve 6 months in jail and 2 years of probation. It all depends on various factors of a convict’s crimes, criminal history, and more.

On the other hand, some states set specific guidelines that judges must adhere to when splitting penalties for a criminal. Take Alabama for example; in Alabama, if a defendant’s overall sentence is less than 15 years, a judge can order no more than 3 years of imprisonment. Once the convict is released from jail after three years, they must serve the remainder of their sentence on probation, which may or may not include house detention and monitoring.

Split Sentence Eligibility

in Alabama, if a defendant’s overall sentence is less than 15 years, a judge can order no more than 3 years of imprisonment

Not every convict is given a split sentence. There are certain eligibility requirements, all of which are dependent on the criminal codes specific to each state. Continuing the example of Alabama, a convict who is found guilty of a sexual assault involving a minor is automatically ineligible from being granted a split sentence. Another common disqualification is the length of a convict’s overall sentence. Normally, a sentence exceeding 20 years is exempt from split sentencing.

Possible Drawbacks

There are several potential consequences of being handed a split sentence. Two of the most common drawbacks are not being given sufficient time served in jail, or the possibility of having the sentence revoked. Another drawback could be the inconvenience of probation. Some agree that stacking is a possible consequence of a split sentence, which refers to two or more sentences being served consecutively. Also, many states still consider a person a felon, even if they are granted a split sentence.