Sentence vs. Verdict: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A verdict is a decision made by a jury or judge on a legal case, while a sentence is the punishment assigned by a judge after a verdict of guilt.
Key Differences
A sentence in legal terms refers to the punishment imposed by a court on a defendant found guilty, which can range from fines to imprisonment. A verdict, on the other hand, is the formal finding of fact made by a jury or judge, determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant.
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In the judicial process, a verdict is arrived at after the evaluation of evidence and arguments, signifying the conclusion of a trial. The sentence, following a guilty verdict, is pronounced by the judge and outlines the specific penalties or corrective measures.
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A verdict represents the culmination of the trial's fact-finding process, often involving a jury's deliberation in criminal cases. A sentence reflects the judicial authority's decision on how to penalize or rehabilitate the convicted individual.
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Verdicts are typically expressed as 'guilty' or 'not guilty' in criminal trials, or as a decision in civil cases. Sentences vary widely based on the nature of the crime, legal statutes, and judicial discretion.
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In essence, a verdict addresses the question of liability or culpability, while a sentence deals with the consequence and rectification following a guilty verdict.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Punishment assigned for a crime.
Decision on a defendant’s guilt or innocence.
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Function in Trial
Follows a guilty verdict, decides the penalty.
Concludes the trial, establishes guilt.
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Types
Fines, imprisonment, community service.
Guilty, not guilty, or specific decisions.
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Dependency
Dependent on a guilty verdict.
Independent decision based on evidence.
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Sentence and Verdict Definitions
Sentence
The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty in a court of law.
The judge handed down a ten-year sentence for the crime.
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Verdict
An opinion or judgment formed about something.
His verdict on the new policy was highly critical.
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Sentence
A mathematical or logical expression in formal languages.
In logic, a sentence can represent a proposition or truth.
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Verdict
The decision made by a jury or judge in a court case.
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
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Sentence
A set of words complete in itself, conveying a statement, question, or command.
The teacher explained the importance of a clear sentence structure.
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Verdict
An authoritative decision or answer.
The medical board's verdict confirmed the doctor's expertise.
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Sentence
A group of words expressing a complete thought in writing or speech.
Each sentence in her essay was carefully crafted for impact.
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Verdict
A pronouncement indicating success or failure.
The public's verdict on the movie was overwhelmingly positive.
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Sentence
A grammatical unit that is syntactically independent and has a subject that is expressed or, as in imperative sentences, understood and a predicate that contains at least one finite verb.
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Verdict
The conclusion of a process of judgment or deliberation.
The committee's verdict was unanimous in favor of the proposal.
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Sentence
The penalty imposed by a law court or other authority upon someone found guilty of a crime or other offense.
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Verdict
An expressed conclusion; a judgment or opinion
The verdict of history.
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Sentence
(Obsolete) An opinion, especially one given formally after deliberation.
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Verdict
(legal) A decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
The jury returned a “not guilty” verdict.
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Sentence
To impose a sentence on (a criminal defendant found guilty, for example).
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Sentence
(dated) The decision or judgement of a jury or court; a verdict.
The court returned a sentence of guilt in the first charge, but innocence in the second.
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Verdict
The answer of a jury given to the court concerning any matter of fact in any cause, civil or criminal, committed to their examination and determination; the finding or decision of a jury on the matter legally submitted to them in the course of the trial of a cause.
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Sentence
The judicial order for a punishment to be imposed on a person convicted of a crime.
The judge declared a sentence of death by hanging for the infamous child rapist.
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Verdict
Decision; judgment; opinion pronounced; as, to be condemned by the verdict of the public.
These were enormities condemned by the most natural verdict of common humanity.
Two generations have since confirmed the verdict which was pronounced on that night.
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Verdict
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
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Sentence
(obsolete) A saying, especially from a great person; a maxim, an apophthegm.
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Sentence
(grammar) A grammatically complete series of words consisting of a subject and predicate, even if one or the other is implied, and typically beginning with a capital letter and ending with a full stop or other punctuation.
The children were made to construct sentences consisting of nouns and verbs from the list on the chalkboard.
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Sentence
(computing theory) Any of the set of strings that can be generated by a given formal grammar.
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Sentence
To declare a sentence on a convicted person; to condemn to punishment.
The judge sentenced the embezzler to ten years in prison, along with a hefty fine.
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Sentence
Sense; meaning; significance.
Tales of best sentence and most solace.
The discourse itself, voluble enough, and full of sentence.
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Sentence
An opinion; a decision; a determination; a judgment, especially one of an unfavorable nature.
My sentence is for open war.
That by them [Luther's works] we may pass sentence upon his doctrines.
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Sentence
A philosophical or theological opinion; a dogma; as, Summary of the Sentences; Book of the Sentences.
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Sentence
In civil and admiralty law, the judgment of a court pronounced in a cause; in criminal and ecclesiastical courts, a judgment passed on a criminal by a court or judge; condemnation pronounced by a judicial tribunal; doom. In common law, the term is exclusively used to denote the judgment in criminal cases.
Received the sentence of the law.
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Sentence
A short saying, usually containing moral instruction; a maxim; an axiom; a saw.
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Sentence
A combination of words which is complete as expressing a thought, and in writing is marked at the close by a period, or full point. See Proposition, 4.
He fills, he bounds, connects, and equals all.
A king . . . understanding dark sentences.
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Sentence
To pass or pronounce judgment upon; to doom; to condemn to punishment; to prescribe the punishment of.
Nature herself is sentenced in your doom.
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Sentence
A string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language;
He always spoke in grammatical sentences
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Sentence
(criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed;
The conviction came as no surprise
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Sentence
The period of time a prisoner is imprisoned;
He served a prison term of 15 months
His sentence was 5 to 10 years
He is doing time in the county jail
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Sentence
Pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law;
He was condemned to ten years in prison
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Sentence
A decree or judgment pronounced by authority.
The king's sentence was final and without appeal.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a sentence be appealed?
Yes, defendants can appeal against the severity or basis of a sentence.
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What does a verdict represent in law?
A decision on a defendant’s guilt or innocence.
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Are sentences the same for all crimes?
No, sentences vary based on the crime and legal guidelines.
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Can a sentence include community service?
Yes, sentences can involve various forms of punishment, including community service.
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Does a sentence always involve jail time?
No, sentences can range from fines to probation, community service, or imprisonment.
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Who typically delivers a verdict?
A jury in jury trials, or a judge in bench trials.
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What factors influence a sentence?
Factors include the nature of the crime, the defendant's history, and legal statutes.
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What is a sentence in a legal context?
A penalty imposed by a court after a guilty verdict.
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Can a verdict be 'not proven'?
In some legal systems, like Scotland, a verdict can be 'not proven', indicating insufficient evidence for conviction but not enough for an acquittal.
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How is a verdict reached?
Through the evaluation of evidence and legal arguments in a trial.
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Is a verdict always unanimous?
In criminal cases, it often is, but not always in civil cases.
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Can a sentence be deferred?
Yes, sentencing can be deferred for various reasons, such as awaiting a report.
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What is a suspended sentence?
A suspended sentence is one that is not immediately enforced, contingent on good behavior.
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Can a verdict be split in civil cases?
Yes, civil cases can have split verdicts, with different findings on different issues.
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Can a verdict be appealed?
Yes, both verdicts and sentences can be appealed in most legal systems.
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Does a verdict determine the type of sentence?
The verdict of guilt is necessary for a sentence, but it doesn't specify the sentence type.
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Can a sentence be probation?
Yes, probation is a common form of sentence for less severe crimes.
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Are all jury verdicts final?
They are final unless successfully appealed or overturned.
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Is a unanimous verdict required in all cases?
Not in all cases; it depends on the legal system and the type of case.
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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