What distinguishes concurrent sentences from consecutive sentences?

Concurrent sentences are distinct from consecutive sentences in that they allow for multiple sentences to be served at the same time. When a defendant receives concurrent sentences for multiple offenses, the prison time for each offense is served simultaneously rather than one after the other. This means that the offender's total time in incarceration is determined by the longest single sentence rather than the sum of all sentences.

Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping how sentencing works within the criminal justice system. It emphasizes the notion that while an individual may commit multiple offenses, the structure of concurrent sentencing reflects a more lenient approach by allowing them to serve their time effectively for all offenses at once. This option effectively highlights the nature of concurrent sentencing in practice.