What distinguishes consecutive sentences from concurrent sentences?

Consecutive sentences are defined by the way they are served in relation to each other. When a judge imposes consecutive sentences, it means that the offender must complete one sentence before starting the next. This results in the total time served being the sum of all sentences. For example, if an individual receives two consecutive sentences of five years each, they would serve a total of ten years.

This is contrasted with concurrent sentences, where the sentences are served simultaneously, meaning that the offender will serve the longest single sentence among them, rather than stacking the time for each conviction. Understanding this distinction is fundamental in criminal justice, as it affects the length of time an individual will spend incarcerated and the overall impact on their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.