Final answer:
Sentence are generally imposed by judges, following a jury's determination of guilt in a criminal trial. For certain severe cases like death penalty decisions, juries may have a role in deciding the nature of the punishment.
b) juries
Step-by-step explanation:
Who Imposes Sentences in the Legal System
When we consider who is responsible for imposing sentences in the legal system, it is important to understand the roles of judges and juries. In criminal cases, which are heard by trial courts with general jurisdiction, both a judge and jury are usually present. The jury's responsibility is to determine guilt after hearing the evidence and deliberating on the case. If a defendant is found guilty, it is then the judge's responsibility to determine the penalty, based on the law and the specifics of the case.
In the federal system, for severe punishments such as the death penalty, the jury may decide whether the defendant should face capital punishment or life imprisonment. However, the typical scenario is that judges have the final say in sentencing, guided by legal statutes and sentencing guidelines. Moreover, under the Seventh Amendment, the ability of judges to reconsider factual questions initially decided by a jury in a trial is limited, maintaining a crucial distinction between the roles of jurors and judges, where jurors resolve facts and judges adjudicate the law.
Turning to civil cases, they must be tried before a jury unless both parties waive their right to a jury. In small claims court, disputes might be settled by a judge alone.
In summary, sentence are imposed by judges after a defendant is found guilty, with the interplay between judge and jury varying based on state laws and the type of crime. This dynamic ensures a system where both parties have clearly defined roles in service of administering justice.