Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Cops/Courts By the Book

Time Spent

Some reporters and editors have a problem with this construction and try to rewrite in various contortions, but it is pretty standard the way it is here.

Nazir was sentenced to the time he has spent in jail. OR Nazir was sentenced to time spent. See examples:

  1. He stood a Bench trial, was found guilty and was sentenced to time spent in jail awaiting trial, plus probation and parole ...
  2. Petrovic was sentenced to time spent in jail before trial, four-and-a-half-months, and payment of a $100 special assessment. The guilty verdict for the ...
  3. A man who played a minor role in the scheme was sentenced to time spent in custody and deported last month.