Sentence Enhancement

Sentence enhancement refers to the legal process where a judge increases the severity of a criminal sentence based on specific factors. These factors can include the defendant's prior criminal history, the nature of the crime (such as involving violence or harm), or whether certain circumstances were present during the offense. Essentially, if the court finds that a crime is more serious due to these factors, the punishment can be harsher than what is typically given for that offense. This aims to ensure that sentences reflect the seriousness of the crime and the individual’s conduct.