Which aspect of the legal system does "sentencing" address?

Sentencing is a critical phase in the criminal justice process where the consequences for a convicted individual are determined. This process involves imposing a criminal sanction, which can take various forms such as imprisonment, fines, community service, or probation. The purpose of sentencing is to reflect the severity of the crime committed and to administer justice by ensuring that the punishment is proportionate to the offense, while also considering factors such as the offender's background and the impact on victims.

In this context, the other aspects of the legal system mentioned do not pertain to sentencing. For instance, determining guilt or innocence occurs prior to sentencing and is part of the trial process. Providing legal representation refers to the right of individuals to have legal counsel, which is necessary before and during court proceedings, but does not relate to the sentencing phase itself. Collecting evidence is a preliminary step in the trial process, where information is gathered to support or refute the case against an accused person. Therefore, the aspect that directly relates to sentencing is indeed the imposition of a criminal sanction.