1.
fixed-term imprisonment; prison sentence of a specified duration
A prison sentence for a defined period, as opposed to 無期懲役 (life imprisonment). Under Japanese law, the range is 1 month to 30 years, typically stated as 懲役X年 (X years of imprisonment).
裁判所は被告に有期懲役10年を言い渡した。
The court sentenced the defendant to ten years of imprisonment.
有期懲役の最長は30年とされている。
The maximum fixed-term imprisonment is 30 years.
無期懲役と有期懲役では、釈放の見通しが大きく異なる。
Life imprisonment and fixed-term imprisonment differ greatly in terms of prospects for release.
有期 means "limited period," and 懲役 means "imprisonment with labor." Together they describe a definite-length custodial sentence.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 有期懲役○年: X years of fixed-term imprisonment
- 有期懲役を言い渡す: to hand down a fixed-term sentence
- 有期懲役の判決: a verdict of fixed-term imprisonment
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 無期懲役: life imprisonment — indefinite sentence
- 禁錮: imprisonment without labor — same duration range but without the labor component