I was reading about the crypto bro who was convicted of fraud recently, but his sentencing isn’t going to happen until March 2024. Why does it take so long?
Cheers!
Sentencing is a whole process in and of itself. Often consisting its own investigation and witnesses that is intended to help the judge determine what the appropriate sentence will be.
Sentencing often comes with a Sentencing Investigation.
The Judge looks at past criminal records, evidence from the trial, motions from defense attorneys and prosecution and such. It all takes time.
The crypto bro is currently in jail awaiting the sentencing (and second trial with more charges against him) so it’s not like he’s walking around free.
Judges are busy, it takes a while to schedule any court case. And you generally can’t schedule a sentencing before someone is actually found guilty. So if it takes, say 4 months before any case, it takes 4 months between hearing and sentencing too.
I think it depends on several factors:
In most jurisdictions time has to be allowed for the lawyers to examine the judge’s decision (if a judge has made the determination m) in order to decide if they want to appeal. Remember in some places the prosecution can appeal if the defendant was find guilty but not in all counts.
If a jury made the decision then the judge also has to consider sentencing guidelines and weigh the evidence to determine the sentence. This might involve medical reports etc
In some jurisdictions both parties need to make a case for a particular sentence.
So in many cases it’s not as if nothing is happening.
That is four months time, which is not that long a period in legal spheres.
