Generally it's up to the Mod or Admin that busted you what your punishment will be. Some mods prefer a permenant suspension for any little infraction while others perfer to ban you immediately. 
If you find yourself banned, click here.

The standard process is as follows:

Infraction        Result

1.               2 day posting suspension
   
2.             10 day posting suspension
3.             Account suspension
4.             Permenant ban

If you are relieved of your posting rights do NOT immediately PM any Mod or Admin crying about why you got punished OR ask if "bob" got punished too because it was him/her you were arguing with.
You'll only move yourself down the ladder to 10 days, or worse, a permenant ban.

If you feel you didn't break a rule you may politely point out the fact and the Mod will take your dispute under consideration.