What defines a concurrent sentence?

A concurrent sentence is defined as a situation where a judge sentences an offender for more than one crime to serve those sentences simultaneously. This means that if an individual is convicted of multiple offenses, the time served for each sentence runs at the same time rather than one after the other. For example, if a person receives two concurrent sentences of five years and three years, they will serve a total of five years rather than eight, as the longer sentence dictates the duration of their incarceration.

This approach to sentencing allows for more efficient use of judicial resources and provides a framework that may be seen as more rehabilitative, as it allows the offender to reintegrate into society sooner than if they were required to serve each sentence back-to-back. It is an important concept in the criminal justice system as it directly impacts the duration of the offender's incarceration and their prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration.