1. A measure of duration.
2. A point in or period of duration at or during which something is alleged to have occurred.
3. Slang. A convicted criminal’s period of incarceration.
dead time. Time that does not count for a particular purpose, such as time not included in calculating an employee’s wages or time not credited toward a prisoner’s sentence. • The time during which a prisoner has escaped, for example, is not credited toward the prisoner’s sentence.
— Also termed nonrun time.
earned time. A credit toward a sentence reduction awarded to a prisoner who takes part in activities designed to lessen the chances that the prisoner will commit a crime after release from prison. • Earned time, which is usu. awarded for taking educational or vocational courses, working, or participating in certain other productive activities, is distinct from good time, which is awarded simply for refraining from misconduct. Cf. good time. [Cases: Prisons 15. C.J.S. Prisons and Rights of Prisoners § 153.]
flat time. A prison term that is to be served without the benefit of time-reduction allowances for good behavior and the like.
good time. The credit awarded to a prisoner for good conduct, which can reduce the duration of the prisoner’s sentence. Cf. GOOD BEHAVIOR; earned time. [Cases: Prisons 15. C.J.S. Prisons and Rights of Prisoners § 153.]
jail-credit time. See JAIL CREDIT.
nonrun time. See dead time.
street time. The time that a convicted person spends on parole or on other conditional release. • If the person’s parole is revoked, this time may or may not be credited toward the person’s sentence, depending on the jurisdiction and the particular conditions of that person’s parole. See dead time.
