Court speech

[dervast]

Hello I found the following sentence that the just says to one person.

"If you do not confess , I will have to settle for token sentences on firearms possession charges"

Well there are so many things that I do not understand in the above sentence. I understand all the above words but in their "normal" meaning, so I can not get any reasonable sentence meaning.


Could you please help me?
Best Regards

[Ouisch]

The judge or prosecutor is trying to get the person to confess to a major crime. (From the context provided, it sounds like he shot and/or killed someone.) If the person does not confess, and the prosecutor does not have sufficient evidence to charge him with murder, the perpetrator could be set free. Instead of allowing that, the prosecutor will charge the perpetrator will lesser, "token" crimes such as illegal possession of firearms (the perp was carrying an unregistered gun). The firearm charge carries a much lighter sentence than murder, but it will at least keep the perp locked up for a short while so that more evidence can be collected.

[dervast]

The judge or prosecutor is trying to get the person to confess to a major crime. (From the context provided, it sounds like he shot and/or killed someone.) If the person does not confess, and the prosecutor does not have sufficient evidence to charge him with murder, the perpetrator could be set free. Instead of allowing that, the prosecutor will charge the perpetrator will lesser, "token" crimes such as illegal possession of firearms (the perp was carrying an unregistered gun). The firearm charge carries a much lighter sentence than murder, but it will at least keep the perp locked up for a short while so that more evidence can be collected.

I would like to thank you for your reply. Thanks for the time you spent.

[Ouisch]

I'm very happy to be of assistance.