Cumulative Sentence Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Cumulative Sentence.

Cumulative Sentence (noun)

A type of sentencing method in which a criminal convicted of multiple crimes receives separate, individual sentences for each crime. These sentences are then combined into a longer, single term of imprisonment. This is often used in cases where the offender is found guilty of two or more different crimes. The cumulative sentence might always result in serving the longest period given out of all the individual sentences.