<P> In law , a sentence forms the final explicit act of a judge - ruled process , and also the symbolic principal act connected to his function . The sentence can generally involve a decree of imprisonment , a fine and / or other punishments against a defendant convicted of a crime . Those imprisoned for multiple crimes will serve a consecutive sentence ( in which the period of imprisonment equals the sum of all the sentences served sequentially , or one after the next ) , a concurrent sentence ( in which the period of imprisonment equals the length of the longest sentence where the sentences are all served together at the same time ) , or somewhere in between , sometimes subject to a cap . Additional sentences include : Intermediate or those served on the weekend ( usually Fri - Sun ) , Determinate or a specific set amount of time ( 90 days ) or Indeterminate which are those that have a minimum and maximum time ( 90 to 120 days ) . If a sentence gets reduced to a less harsh punishment , then the sentence is said to have been `` mitigated '' or `` commuted '' . Rarely ( depending on circumstances ) murder charges are `` mitigated '' and reduced to manslaughter charges . However , in certain legal systems , a defendant may be punished beyond the terms of the sentence , e.g. social stigma , loss of governmental benefits , or , collectively , the collateral consequences of criminal charges . </P>
<P> In law , a sentence forms the final explicit act of a judge - ruled process , and also the symbolic principal act connected to his function . The sentence can generally involve a decree of imprisonment , a fine and / or other punishments against a defendant convicted of a crime . Those imprisoned for multiple crimes will serve a consecutive sentence ( in which the period of imprisonment equals the sum of all the sentences served sequentially , or one after the next ) , a concurrent sentence ( in which the period of imprisonment equals the length of the longest sentence where the sentences are all served together at the same time ) , or somewhere in between , sometimes subject to a cap . Additional sentences include : Intermediate or those served on the weekend ( usually Fri - Sun ) , Determinate or a specific set amount of time ( 90 days ) or Indeterminate which are those that have a minimum and maximum time ( 90 to 120 days ) . If a sentence gets reduced to a less harsh punishment , then the sentence is said to have been `` mitigated '' or `` commuted '' . Rarely ( depending on circumstances ) murder charges are `` mitigated '' and reduced to manslaughter charges . However , in certain legal systems , a defendant may be punished beyond the terms of the sentence , e.g. social stigma , loss of governmental benefits , or , collectively , the collateral consequences of criminal charges . </P>
the shortest time a defendant would serve would result from which type of sentence
the shortest time a defendant would serve would result from which type of sentence
a concurrent sentence ( in which the period of imprisonment equals the length of the longest sentence where the sentences are all served together at the same time )
a concurrent sentence ( in which the period of imprisonment equals the length of the longest sentence where the sentences are all served together at the same time )