Cumulative punishment

Definition

Imposing separate penalties for two or more offenses arising from the same conduct, typically resulting in stacked or consecutive sentences. The key legal question in double jeopardy cases is whether Congress clearly authorized cumulative punishment when two charges constitute the same offense.

Examples

• •Barrett challenges the imposition of cumulative punishment under both § 924(c) and § 924(j) for the single act of fatally shooting the robbery victim.

Related Terms