What does it mean if a judge imposes a straight/flat sentence?

A straight or flat sentence means that the judge has determined a fixed term of imprisonment without the possibility of parole or early release before the full duration of the sentence is served. This indicates that there is no minimum or maximum term to consider within this framework; the offender will serve the sentence as imposed by the judge.

In contrast, options related to discretion, minimum requirements, or specific allocations for certain demographics are not accurate in the context of a flat sentence. A judge imposing a flat sentence typically does not retain the flexibility to alter the length of the sentence after it has been set, nor does it come with a predetermined minimum duration like five years. Also, the notion that such sentences are exclusively for minors does not reflect the broader application of flat sentences across various offenders.