Q: When a criminal is sentenced to two life sentences, why is one life sentence not enough?

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Q: When a criminal is sentenced to two life sentences, why is one life sentence not enough?

— Jack Findlan, Decatur

A: In general, people are sentenced on every count for which the court has lawful authority to sentence them, said Kay Levine, associate professor at Emory Law School. The prosecution and the court want to protect against a successful appeal of one of those convictions or sentences. More than one life sentence provides insurance in case one of those sentences is overturned, she said. If one sentence is thrown out, the second life sentence kicks in to protect against an individual’s untimely release.

Q: What security check procedures, if any, do Transportation Security Administration officers at airports undergo when they report for duty including removal of shoes and when, later, they leave their posts for lunch or other reasons and then return to their duty positions?

— Al Varner, Johns Creek

A: Transportation security officers undergo a complete and thorough background check before they are hired and are then perpetually vetted against terrorist watch lists, said Jon Allen, a TSA spokesman based in Atlanta. Officers at passenger screening checkpoints and in baggage security screening areas undergo identification verification and are subject to random security screening throughout the airport.

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).