What term refers to a punishment inflicted by a court on a person convicted of a crime?

The term that refers to a punishment inflicted by a court on a person convicted of a crime is "sentence." In the criminal justice system, a sentence is the judicially mandated punishment that follows a conviction. It is a formal declaration made by the court, specifying the consequences that the convicted individual must face as a result of their actions, which can range from fines and probation to incarceration.

Understanding the concept of a sentence is fundamental because it encompasses the entire range of legal repercussions that a judge can impose based on the nature of the crime and various factors, including the defendant’s history, the impact of the crime on victims, and statutory requirements. Sentencing is a critical part of the judicial process, as it reflects society's stance on crime and the mechanisms put in place to deter criminal behavior.

In contrast, terms like penalty, reprimand, and sanction have different connotations and applications within the legal framework. While "penalty" can imply a broader range of consequences and may be used in various contexts beyond criminal justice, "reprimand" typically refers to a verbal warning or censure, often in non-criminal settings. "Sanction" can refer to both punitive measures and approvals in different contexts, making it less specific to the idea