How is sentencing defined in criminal law?

Sentencing in criminal law is defined as the judicial determination of a penalty for a convicted individual. This process takes place after a defendant has been found guilty of a crime, either through a plea agreement or a trial. At this stage, the court is responsible for determining the appropriate punishment, which can include various forms of penalties such as imprisonment, fines, community service, or probation.

Judges often consider a range of factors during sentencing, including the severity of the crime, any mitigating or aggravating circumstances related to the defendant's actions, the impact on victims, and the defendant’s prior criminal history. The goal is to impose a sentence that reflects the nature of the offense, serves justice, and, where possible, promotes rehabilitation.

In contrast, the other options represent different aspects of the criminal justice process that are not directly linked to sentencing itself. For instance, appealing a conviction pertains to challenging a court's decision rather than determining a sentence, presenting evidence in court relates to the trial phase before a verdict is reached, and the representation of a defendant’s legal rights speaks to the broader context of legal representation and due process, rather than the specific penal determination that occurs during sentencing.