suspended sentence
Loading your saved state.
suspended sentence
A sentence imposed by a court (usually a prison sentence) whose execution is suspended on probation. This means the convicted person does not have to go to prison as long as they do not commit another offense within a specified period.
Der Ersttäter wurde zu einer Freiheitsstrafe von acht Monaten auf Bewährung verurteilt.
The first-time offender was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended on probation.
The word is made up of 'Bewährung' (probation) and 'Strafe' (punishment/sentence). 'Bewährung' comes from the verb 'sich bewähren' (to prove oneself good/reliable). So the convicted person must prove themselves during a probationary period.
Eine Bewährungsstrafe gibt dem Verurteilten eine zweite Chance.
A suspended sentence gives the convicted person a second chance.
The phrase 'auf Bewährung' (on probation) is very common. Someone is 'zu einer Strafe auf Bewährung verurteilt' (sentenced to a suspended sentence/on probation), or a sentence is 'zur Bewährung ausgesetzt' (suspended on probation).
Er wurde zu einem Jahr auf Bewährung verurteilt.
He was sentenced to one year on probation.
In connection with a suspended sentence, the verbs 'bekommen' (to get), 'erhalten' (to receive), or 'verhängen' (to impose) are often used.
Wegen des Diebstahls hat er eine Bewährungsstrafe bekommen.
Because of the theft, he received a suspended sentence.
probation / proving oneself
'die Bewährung' and 'die Bewährungsstrafe' are closely connected in the legal sense. Both mean that a convicted person does not have to go to prison immediately, as long as they do not commit any crimes during a certain period. 'Bewährungsstrafe' refers more specifically to the sentence itself, for example a prison sentence that is not carried out. 'Bewährung' can also mean the period or situation in which the person is given this chance. The words can be confused because they often occur in the same court situations. More precisely: the court imposes a 'Bewährungsstrafe' (suspended sentence), and the person is then 'auf Bewährung' (on probation).
Die Bewährungsstrafe gilt nur, wenn der Verurteilte sich an alle Auflagen hält.
The suspended sentence applies only if the convicted person complies with all conditions.
Während der Bewährung darf er keine neue Straftat begehen.
During probation, he must not commit any new offense.