SENTENCING OPTIONS
Convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Conrad Murray now faces a sentence of up to four years in prison. Below are some of the factors:
* Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor would receive a probation department report on Murray recommending a sentence. Both prosecution and defence lawyers also file recommendations. But the final decision is his and his alone.
* Judge Pastor can consider that Murray is a defendant with no prior criminal record, a circumstance that might mitigate in favor of probation.
* Because of AB109, a recent California prison realignment bill, Murray probably would not go to state prison. If given a prison sentence, he would most likely serve it in the county jail because of prison overcrowding. There has been speculation that he would be allowed to serve a term of house arrest.
* The penal code calls for a convicted defendant to be sentenced in 20 days, but he can waive that time while his lawyers prepare a motion for a new trial and an appeal. He could remain free on bail during that period.
* Murray will lose his medical license