The phrase "passes sentence" refers to an action in which a judge declares the punishment for a convicted criminal. The spelling for this phrase is /ˈpæsəz ˈsɛntəns/, which means that the "a" sound in "passes" is pronounced as /æ/ and the "e" sound in "sentence" is pronounced as /ɛ/. The "es" in "passes" is pronounced as /ɪz/ as it follows a voiced sound, while the "s" in "sentence" is pronounced as /s/ because it follows an unvoiced sound.
"Passes sentence" is a legal term that refers to the action taken by a judge or court to officially pronounce and impose a punishment or penalty on a person who has been found guilty of a crime. When a judge "passes sentence," they are making a decision about the appropriate punishment for the offender based on the severity of the crime committed and other relevant factors. This action follows the finding of guilt in a criminal trial or, in some cases, may be a result of the accused person pleading guilty.
The process of passing sentence involves the judge considering various factors, including the nature and circumstances of the offense, the defendant's criminal history, the impact of the crime on the victim or society, and any mitigating or aggravating factors presented in court. The judge may have the discretion to select from a range of potential punishments established by law, such as imprisonment, fines, probation, community service, or a combination of these.
The act of passing sentence is a pivotal moment in the criminal justice system as it marks the culmination of a legal process and determines the consequences that the convicted individual will face. The sentence pronounced by the judge aims to achieve a balance between punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, and protection of society. It is intended to reflect the seriousness of the offense committed and promote fairness and justice within the legal system.
The etymology of the phrase "passes sentence" comes from the combination of two separate words: "pass" and "sentence".
- The word "pass" originated from the Latin word "passare", meaning "to step, to go, to cross". In Old French, it evolved into "passer", which then entered Middle English as "passen". The term "pass" in this context refers to the act of controlling or determining the outcome of a situation, such as making a decision.
- The word "sentence" originated from the Latin word "sententia", meaning "opinion, judgment, thought". It further evolved into Old French as "sentence", which then entered Middle English. In this context, a sentence refers to a decision or judgment pronounced by someone in authority.