Imposition of Consecutive and Concurrent Sentences in American Federal Criminal Law

Yıl 2025, Sayı: 77, 180 - 195, 21.01.2026

Burak Taş

https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.78.1664806

https://izlik.org/JA37BM56AD

Öz

In the American criminal justice system, the execution of sentences for individuals convicted of multiple crimes constitutes a complex and highly debated aspect of the criminal justice system. This study aims to analyze the legal framework, case law, and practical issues regarding the consecutive and concurrent application of sentences in the American criminal justice system. It examines the broad discretionary power granted to federal judges under 18 U.S.C. §3584 concerning consecutive or concurrent application of sentences and the limits of this authority, while also comparatively and briefly examining the relationship between the merger doctrine and the institution of joinder of crimes in Turkish and German law. It is observed that the American system has not adopted a more distinct principle of the joinder of crimes, unlike Turkiye and Germany where offenses are combined. Additionally, the interpretation differences in the application of distinct provisions such as §924(c) and §924(j), as well as the legal basis of coterminous sentences, are controversial. The findings of the study reveal that there is no systematic regulation regarding the consecutive or concurrent execution of sentences in American federal criminal law, and uniformity in practice among courts cannot be achieved. The study concludes that this situation undermines the principles of legal certainty and predictability and that a uniform application and effective standardization need to be ensured.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Imprisonment , Multiple Sentences , Consecutive Sentence , Concurrent Sentence , Joinder of Crimes and Punishments

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