<P> A conditional discharge is where the court discharges an offender on the condition that no further offences are committed during a specified period up to a maximum of three years . They are used when it is deemed that a punitive sentence is unnecessary . If the offender re-offends during the conditional discharge period, the court can re-sentence for the original offence as well as passing sentence for the latest offence (s). </P> <P> An absolute discharge means that, in effect, no penalty is imposed . Such a sentence is likely to be ordered where an offender has technically committed an offence but is morally blameless for it . They are usually reserved for the most minor offences but can, exceptionally, be ordered in serious cases (see the signalman in the 1892 Thirsk rail crash). </P> <P> In both cases, the court may still make ancillary orders such as costs and compensation . </P> <P> If a court believes that an offender's circumstances are about to change, sentence may be deferred for up to six months in order to see whether the change makes a difference to the offender's behaviour . A sentence will only normally be deferred where the change in circumstances is such that the punishment will not be necessary, or a lesser penalty will be imposed if the offender complies with the terms of the deferred sentence . The offender must consent to the deferment . </P>

A sentence of 1 to 15 years is an example of a determinate sentence