What are consecutive sentences?

Consecutive sentences refer to two or more sentences that are served one after the other. This means that if an individual is sentenced for multiple offenses, each sentence is completed in sequence, rather than at the same time. This approach can occur in criminal justice when a person is convicted of several crimes, and the court decides that the cumulative punishment should require the individual to complete the sentences one after another, thus extending the duration of incarceration.

In this context, the focus is on the order and timing of sentence execution. Each sentence adds to the total time the individual will be incarcerated. For instance, if a person receives a three-year sentence for one offense and a two-year sentence for another, under consecutive sentencing, they would serve a total of five years in prison, with each sentence served back-to-back.

The other options capture different concepts related to sentencing but do not accurately define consecutive sentences. The first option encapsulates the essence of how consecutive sentences function within the legal framework.