Effective sentence

Effective sentence is a type of punishment imposed by the court, which requires the convicted person to serve the determined sentence without any condition or delay. It differs from a suspended sentence, where the execution of the punishment is postponed for a certain probationary period, provided the convicted person does not commit another crime.

An effective sentence comes into force after all appeals have been exhausted or after the deadlines for appealing have passed. It can include various types of punishments, such as imprisonment, probation, fines, and others. The main characteristic is that the convicted person starts serving the punishment immediately after the sentence becomes final.

Examples of effective sentences:

• Imprisonment: The convicted person actually serves the sentence in a prison or correctional facility, depending on the regime of the sentence (strict, general, or lenient).
• Probation: The convicted person is required to comply with certain measures such as registration at their current address, mandatory meetings with a probation officer, or community service.
• Fine: The amount set by the court must be paid within the established period. In case of non-payment, enforcement measures may be applied.

When does the court impose an effective sentence?

The court imposes an effective sentence when it determines that the crime is serious or poses a high public danger — for example, murder, serious bodily harm, rape, or armed robbery, or if the convicted person has prior convictions, especially if they are for similar crimes and there is no evidence of rehabilitation.