How long could they get?
Waiting for court is the worst part. Pick the offence and how serious it was, and we will show the likely range, based on the official guidelines judges have to follow.
These rules cover England and Wales. In Scotland or Northern Ireland? Start here.
How sentencing works, in plain words
Judges do not pick numbers out of the air. For each offence there is an official guideline with a range, published by the Sentencing Council. The judge works out where the offence sits in that range by looking at the harm done and how much blame the person carries. Then things move the number up or down:
- Down: admitting it early, showing real remorse, no record, young age, caring for children, helping the police.
- Up: previous convictions, being on bail or licence at the time, using a weapon, targeting someone vulnerable.
Last of all the judge applies the guilty plea discount. That is why two people can commit the same crime and get very different sentences.
Suspended sentences: prison without going to prison
If the sentence works out at 2 years or less, the judge can A suspended sentence means the prison term hangs over them instead of starting. They stay at home, usually with rules like unpaid work or a curfew. If they behave for the suspension period, they never go in. If they reoffend, the sentence can be activated. . Since 2025 judges are expected to suspend most short sentences unless the person is a risk or has ignored court orders before. So a range under 2 years often means no prison at all.
If prison does happen
Remember the sentence said in court is not the time served inside. Most people get out at 40% right now, expected to become one third from Autumn 2026, and any time on remand comes off. A "2 year" sentence can mean around 8 to 10 months inside. Put the number into our release date calculator and see.
Common questions
How do judges decide the sentence?
Judges must follow official guidelines from the Sentencing Council. For each offence, the guideline gives a starting point and a range, based on how serious the offence was and how much blame the person carries. The judge then adjusts for things like a guilty plea, previous convictions and personal circumstances. Our tool uses those same guideline ranges, kept simple.
Do you get less for pleading guilty?
Yes. Admitting it at the first chance takes a third off. Admitting it later takes about a quarter off. Admitting it on the day of trial takes about a tenth off. Being found guilty at trial takes nothing off.
What is a suspended sentence?
A prison sentence of up to 2 years can be suspended. That means they do not go to prison unless they break the rules of the suspension or commit another offence, usually within 1 to 2 years. Judges are now told to suspend short sentences in most cases where it is safe to.
Will they go to prison for a first offence?
It depends on the offence, not just their record. A first offence makes a shorter or suspended sentence more likely, especially for less serious crimes. But for serious offences like supplying class A drugs or serious violence, prison is likely even with no record.
How much of the sentence will they actually serve?
Most people on normal fixed sentences currently get out at 40% of the sentence, and from Autumn 2026 that is expected to drop to one third. Time held on remand counts too. Use our release date calculator to see the real time inside.