What is meant by a maximum term of imprisonment?
All offences have a maximum penalty set out in law. If a case is dealt with in a Magistrates’ Court, the maximum sentence of imprisonment is six months. In the Crown Court, which deals with more serious crimes, the maximum sentence will depend on the type of offence and the maximum penalty that the law allows for that offence. A limited number of crimes have a minimum sentence that the court has to impose (unless there are exceptional circumstances).
