When must a judge enter a judgment?

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Multiple Choice

When must a judge enter a judgment?

Explanation:
A judgment is entered to formalize a conviction and its sentence. It happens once guilt is established—either when the defendant pleads guilty or nolo contendere and the plea is accepted, or when a jury returns a verdict of guilty—and the court then imposes sentence, including any fines and court costs. The judgment records those terms and becomes the official record of the conviction. Dismissal ends the case without a conviction, so no judgment of guilt is entered. Arraignment is the stage for entering pleas, not for finalizing a judgment.

A judgment is entered to formalize a conviction and its sentence. It happens once guilt is established—either when the defendant pleads guilty or nolo contendere and the plea is accepted, or when a jury returns a verdict of guilty—and the court then imposes sentence, including any fines and court costs. The judgment records those terms and becomes the official record of the conviction. Dismissal ends the case without a conviction, so no judgment of guilt is entered. Arraignment is the stage for entering pleas, not for finalizing a judgment.

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