List_of_punishments_for_murder_in_the_United_States
Murder, as defined in common law countries, is the unlawful killing of another human being with intent (or malice aforethought), and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide (such as manslaughter). As the loss of a human being inflicts an enormous amount of grief for individuals close to the victim, as well as the fact that the commission of a murder permanently deprives the victim of their existence, most societies have considered it a very serious crime warranting the harshest punishments available. A person who commits murder is called a murderer, and the penalties, as outlined below, vary from state to state.
Main article: Murder (United States law)
In 2005, the United States Supreme Court held that offenders under the age of 18 at the time of the murder were exempt from the death penalty under Roper v. Simmons.
In 2012, the United States Supreme Court held in Miller v. Alabama that mandatory sentences of life without the possibility of parole are unconstitutional for juvenile offenders.[1][2]
Civilian
Source:[3]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Any term of years or life imprisonment without parole
(There is no federal parole, U.S. sentencing guidelines offense level 38: 235–293 months with a clean record, 360 months–life with serious past offenses) |
| Second Degree Murder by an inmate, even escaped, serving a life sentence | Life imprisonment without parole |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances) or life imprisonment without parole (Juveniles can not be given life imprisonment without parole, so they can be sentenced to any term of years.) |
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Military
Source:[4]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Murder under UCMJ Article 118 Clause (2) or (3) (Second Degree Murder) | Any legal punishment (other than death) as directed by the court-martial |
| Murder under UCMJ Article 118 Clause (1) or (4) (First Degree Murder) | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole or life imprisonment with parole after 20 years |
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District of Columbia
Source: [5]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Any term of years, but no more than 40 years (unless there are aggravating circumstances; only an option if defendant was a juvenile), or life without parole |
| First Degree Murder | 30–60 years (sentence can exceed 60 years if there are aggravating circumstances; only an option if defendant was a juvenile) or life without parole |
| Murder of a law enforcement officer | Life without parole (if the defendant was a juvenile, a judge sets a term of 60 years) |
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Puerto Rico
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 15 to 50 years |
| First Degree Murder | 99 years |
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U.S. Virgin Islands
Source: [6]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Not less than 5 years (10 years if the victim was a law enforcement officer) |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole (For juveniles, a judge sets a sentence of any term of years not exceeding life) |
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Alabama
Source:[7]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter | 2–20 years |
| Murder (Second-Degree Murder) | 10–99 years (20–99 years if using deadly weapon) or life (minimum of 15 years) |
| Capital Murder (First-Degree Murder) | Death, life without parole, life with parole eligibility after 30 years (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
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Alaska
Source:[8]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 5–99 years |
| First Degree Murder | 20–99 years |
| First Degree Murder with an aggravating factor | 99 years without parole (can apply for a one-time reduction after 49.5 years; for juveniles, a judge can sentence them to 99 years and the governor can parole them) |
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Arizona
Source:[9]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Negligent Homicide | Not less than 1 year nor more than 3.75 years (first violent felony offense) |
| Manslaughter | Not less than 7 years nor more than 21 years (first violent felony offense) |
| Second Degree Murder | Not less than 10 years nor more than 25 years (first violent felony offense) |
| Felony First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), natural life imprisonment, or 25 years to life (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
| Premeditated First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), natural life imprisonment, or 25 years to life (only an option if the murder occurred before August 2, 2012, or the defendant was under 18) |
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Arkansas
Source: [10]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 6 to 30 years |
| First Degree Murder | 10 to 40 years or life without parole (eligible for parole after 25 years if the defendant was under 18) |
| Capital Murder | Death or life without parole (eligible for parole after 30 years if the defendant was under 18) |
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California
Excluding murder, all offenses below are eligible for probation terms. If probation is given, the maximum confinement sentence is up to a year in jail with up to five years of probation. If probation is denied, the following prison terms are used:
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Any felony criminal homicide | -Maximum $10,000 fine (not including fees/court costs and penalty assessments)
-Loss of gun rights -For involuntary manslaughter with a firearm or voluntary manslaughter or murder, a strike under California Three Strikes Law -Penalty Enhancements like the 10-20-life law or gang-related enhancement. -Victim restitution -Can't get probation for murder |
| Vehicular Manslaughter (Standard Negligence) | Up to 1 year in county jail |
| Vehicular Manslaughter (Gross Negligence) | Up to 1 year in county jail as a misdemeanor. 2, 4, or 6 years in state prison as a felony. |
| Vehicular Manslaughter for Financial Gain | 4, 6, or 10 years in state prison |
| Involuntary Manslaughter | 2, 3, or 4 years (a strike under California Three Strikes Law if a firearm was used) |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | 3, 6, or 11 years |
| Second Degree Murder | 15 years to life (either 15 years to life or life without parole if the defendant served a prior murder conviction under Penal Code 190.05) |
| Second Degree Murder of a Peace Officer | 25 years to life (only an option if the defendant was under 18) (life without parole if any of the following are true:
-The defendant's intention was to kill, OR -Intention was to cause great bodily injury, OR -A deadly weapon was used to kill.; If the defendant was a juvenile, they are given a sentence under California’s three-strikes law) |
| Second Degree Murder by shooting from a motor vehicle with intent to cause great bodily injury (intent to cause death is prosecuted as 1st Degree Murder) | 20 years to life |
| First Degree Murder | 25 years to life |
| Assault Causing the Death of A Child Under 8 Years of Age (Penal Code 273ab(a)) | 25 years to life |
| First Degree Murder constituting a hate crime or of an operator or driver | Life without parole (eligible for parole after 25 years if the defendant was under 18) |
| First Degree Murder with special circumstances | Death or life without parole (eligible for parole after 25 years if the defendant was under 18) |
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Colorado[16]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 16–48 years (followed by 5 years of mandatory parole) |
| First Degree Murder if the defendant was under 18 | Life with parole eligibility after 40 years |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole |
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Connecticut
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Manslaughter | Maximum of 10 years (minimum of 1 year if a firearm is used) |
| First Degree Manslaughter | 1–20 years (5–40 years if a firearm was used) |
| Murder | 25–60 years (without parole) |
| Murder with special circumstances | Life without parole (cannot be charged with murder with special circumstances if the defendant was under 21) |
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Delaware
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life without parole |
| First Degree Murder if the defendant was under 18 | 25 years to life (defendants may seek a review of their sentence after 30 years) |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole (see Capital punishment in Delaware) |
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Florida
Source:[17]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter |
9 1/4 to 15 years in prison (if downward departure is not granted) Maximum of 30 years in prison if: -the offender used a deadly weapon -the victim was a vulnerable person under the care of the offender (a child under 18, elderly person, or disabled adult) -the victim was an on duty police officer or a first responder -the offense was committed during a hit and run Maximum of life without parole if: the victim was a vulnerable person under the care of the offender, an on duty police officer or first responder AND the offender used a deadly weapon |
| Third Degree Murder | 10 1/3 to 15 years in prison (if downward departure is not granted) |
| Second Degree Murder | Minimum of 16 3/4 years in prison if downward departure is not granted
Mandatory minimum of 25 years if firearm was used Maximum of life without parole |
| First Degree Murder | Death or Life without parole
If offender was under 18, minimum of 40 years and maximum of life without parole (possible commutation to 25 years after judicial review) |
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Georgia
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Involuntary Manslaughter | 1 to 10 years in prison (felony) or up to 1-year county jail (misdemeanor) |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | 1 to 20 years |
| Second Degree Murder | 10 to 30 years |
| Felony Murder | Life without parole or life with parole eligibility after 30 years |
| Malice Murder | Death, life without parole, or life with parole eligibility after 30 years |
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Hawaii
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. There is enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders (HRS 706-606.5). |
| First Degree Murder | Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, with possible commuting of sentence by the governor to life imprisonment with parole at the end of twenty years of imprisonment. (For juveniles, they are eligible for parole) (HRS §706-656) There is enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders. (HRS 706-606.5) |
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Idaho
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life without parole |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole, or life (eligible for parole after no less than 10 years) |
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Illinois
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 4–20 years (up to 4 years are probational)
Certain factors increase the maximum to 30 years (up to 4 years are probational) |
| First Degree Murder | 20–60 years (no parole), 45 years to life (if firearm used) (no parole), up to life without parole under certain aggravating circumstances |
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Indiana
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing[18] |
|---|---|
| Murder | Between 45 and 65 years |
| Murder with aggravating circumstances | Death or life without parole (defendant under 16 cannot be sentenced to life without parole) |
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Iowa
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 50 years with parole eligibility after 35 years (no minimum for parole eligibility if the defendant was under 18) |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole or life with parole eligibility (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
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Kansas
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder (Unintentional) | 9–41 years |
| Second Degree Murder (Intentional) | 12.5–54 years |
| Felony First Degree Murder | Life with a minimum of 25 years (or 20 years if the crime was committed before July 1, 2014) |
| Premeditated First Degree Murder (committed before July 1, 2014) | Life with a minimum of 25 years or life with a minimum of 50 years (only if the judge finds compelling reasons warranting a harsher sentence) |
| Premeditated First Degree Murder (committed on or after July 1, 2014) | Life with a minimum of 50 years or life with a minimum of 25 years (only if the judge finds compelling reasons warranting a more lenient sentence) |
| Capital Murder | Death, life without parole, or life with a minimum of 25/50 years (only an option if the defendant is a juvenile) |
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Kentucky
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Murder (aggravating circumstances) | Death, life without parole, life without parole for 25 years (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
| Murder (no aggravating circumstances) | Life (minimum of 20 years), or 20 to 50 years |
| First Degree Manslaughter | 10 to 20 years imprisonment |
| Second Degree Manslaughter | Five to ten years imprisonment |
| Reckless Homicide | One to five years imprisonment |
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Louisiana
Source: [19]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter | Maximum of 40 years in prison (eligible for parole after 25 years if the defendant was under 18) |
| Manslaughter of a child under 10 | 10 to 40 years in prison without parole (eligible for parole after 25 years if the defendant was under 18) |
| Second Degree Murder | Life without parole (eligible for parole after 25 years if the defendant was under 18) |
| First Degree Murder | Death or life without parole (adults)
Life without parole or life with the possibility of parole after 25 years (if the defendant was under 18) |
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Maine
Source:[20]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter | Maximum of 30 years in prison |
| Felony Murder | Maximum of 30 years in prison |
| Murder | Life without parole or no less than 25 years |
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Maryland
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Involuntary Manslaughter | Maximum of 10 years, up to 5 with no parole |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | Maximum of 10 years, up to 5 with no parole |
| Second Degree Murder | Maximum of 40 years, up to 20 with no parole |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole or life with parole eligibility after 20 years (the judge can suspend part of the sentence) |
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Massachusetts
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 15–25 years; minimum of 15 years if the crime was committed before July 25, 2014) |
| First Degree Murder if the defendant was under 18 | Life with parole eligibility after 20–30 years[21] |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole |
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Michigan
Source:[22]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life (eligible for parole after 15 years, eligible after 10 years for offenses committed before October 1, 1992) or any number of years [23] |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole for adults. For juveniles, if mitigating factors exist the judge may set a minimum term of between 25 and 40 years before parole eligibility with a maximum term of at least 60 years and the same goes with aggravating factors.[24] Note that there is a bill removing Juvenile life without parole and shortening the minimum term of 25-40 years to 10 years and keeping the maximum of 60 years.[25] |
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Minnesota
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Manslaughter | Maximum of 10 years in prison (5 years for clean record) |
| First Degree Manslaughter | Maximum of 15 years in prison (7-10 years for clean records) |
| Third Degree Murder | Maximum of 25 years in prison (12.5 years for clean record) |
| Second Degree Murder | Maximum of 40 years in prison (If a person had a clean record, 12.5 years but if intentional, 25.5 years) |
| First Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 30 years; 17 years if the crime committed before August 1, 1989) |
| First Degree Murder if the murder was premeditated or involved rape, kidnapping, or terrorism, if the victim was a law enforcement or prison officer, or if the defendant has one or more previous convictions for a "heinous crime" | Life without parole (30 years must be served before eligible for parole if the defendant was under 18; 17 years must be served before eligible for parole if the defendant was under 18 and the crime committed before August 1, 1989) |
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Mississippi
More information Offense, Mandatory ...
| Offense | Mandatory |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter | Maximum of 20 years |
| Second Degree Murder | Life (eligible for conditional release at age 65 and having served at least 15 years) or 20 to 40 years |
| First Degree Murder | Life (eligible for conditional release at age 65 and having served at least 15 years) |
| Capital Murder | Death, life without parole, or life (defendants under 18 sentenced to life in prison can be given the possibility of parole, but this is not mandatory) |
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Source: [26]
Missouri
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 10–30 years or life (minimum of 25.5 years) |
| First Degree Murder if the defendant was under 18 | 30–40 years or life (minimum of 25 years; any term of years for aggravating circumstances) |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances) or life without parole. |
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Montana
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Negligent Homicide | Maximum of 20 years in prison |
| Mitigated Deliberate Homicide (Second-Degree Murder) | 2–40 years |
| Deliberate Homicide (First-Degree Murder) | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole, life (minimum of 30 years), or 10–100 years (only the two options if the defendant was under 18; if sentenced to 100 years, the defendant who was under 18 will be eligible for parole) |
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Nebraska
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Minimum of 20 years and maximum of life without parole (eligible for parole if the defendant was under 18) |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole (reviewed by Nebraska state parole board), or 40 years to life (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
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Nevada
Under Assembly Bill 267, juveniles must have parole eligibility begin after 20 years if only one death occurred. Nevada does not have guidelines on when to offer parole if more than one person was killed. But, the judge would apply the same as if it was just one victim.
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 10 years) or 25 years with parole eligibility after 10 years |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole, life (minimum of 20 years), or 50 years with parole eligibility after 20 years (juveniles cannot be sentenced to life without parole even there was more than one death, in which the guidelines apply the same.) |
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New Hampshire
Source:[27]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Negligent Homicide | Imprisonment for a term of not less than 3 1/2 years and not more than 7 years |
| Causing or Aiding Suicide | For causing a suicide or suicide attempt, imprisonment for a term of up to seven years in prison. For aiding or assisting in a suicide or suicide attempt without causing the suicide or attempt, up to one year in jail.[28][29] |
| Manslaughter | Imprisonment for a term of not more than 30 years |
| Second Degree Murder | Life with parole or any number of years |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole or life with parole (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
| Capital Murder | Life without parole or life with parole (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
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New Jersey
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Murder | Minimum of 30 years and maximum of life |
| Murder (with aggravating circumstances) | Life without parole (defendant must serve 30 years and it is an only option if they were under 18) |
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New Mexico
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Involuntary Manslaughter | Maximum of 4 years in prison |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | Maximum of 6 years in prison |
| Second Degree Murder | Maximum of 15 years in prison |
| First Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 30 years) |
| First Degree Murder with aggravating circumstances | Life without parole or life with parole eligibility after 30 years (only if the defendant was under 18) |
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New York
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 15–25 years) |
| First Degree Murder (defendants under 18 cannot be charged with first degree murder) | Life (minimum of 20–40 years) or life without parole |
| Aggravated Murder (defendants under 18 cannot be charged with aggravated murder) | Life without parole |
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North Carolina
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Involuntary Manslaughter | Maximum of 59 months (sentence without criminal record is 10 to 20 months) |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | Maximum of 204 months (sentence without criminal record is 38 to 80 months) |
| Second Degree Murder (inherently dangerous act or by unlawful distribution of certain illicit substances) | Maximum of 484 months (sentence without criminal record is 94 to 196 months) |
| Second Degree Murder | Maximum of life without parole (sentence without criminal record is 144 to 300 months) |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole, or life with parole eligibility after 25 years (only an option if the defendant was under 18) |
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North Dakota
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter | Maximum of 10 years in prison |
| Murder committed under "extreme emotional disturbance" | Maximum of 20 years in prison |
| Murder | Life without parole, life (minimum of 30 years), or any number of years (defendants under 18 cannot be sentenced to life without parole) |
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Ohio
Ohio differentiates between "Aggravated Murder (First-Degree Murder)" and "Murder (Second-Degree Murder)." Aggravated Murder consists of purposely causing the death of another (or unlawful termination of a pregnancy) with prior calculation and design, or purposely causing the death of another under the age of 13, a law enforcement officer, or in the course of committing certain serious felony offenses. Murder consists of purposely causing the death of another, or causing the death of another as a proximate result of committing certain serious felony offenses.
More information Parole Eligibility for Defendants Under 18 (SB 256), Offense ...
| Parole Eligibility for Defendants Under 18 (SB 256) | |
|---|---|
| Offense | Maximum Parole Eligibility |
| One or more homicide offenses | 25 years |
| Two or more homicide offenses if the defendant was the principal offender for at least two of them | 30 years |
| Aggravated homicide (considered the purposeful killing of three or more people when the defendant is the principal offender in each offense), or murder (second-degree murder) or aggravated murder (first-degree murder) involving terrorism | 30 years |
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More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Involuntary Manslaughter | 4.5 to 16.5 years (3 to 11 years if crime committed before 2021, 3 to 10 years if crime committed before 2019) (if underlying offense is a felony) 9 months to 3 years (if underlying offense is a misdemeanor) |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | 4.5 to 16.5 years (3 to 11 years if crime committed before 2021, 3 to 10 years if crime committed before 2019) |
| Murder (Second-Degree Murder) | Life with parole eligibility after 15 years |
| Murder (Second-Degree Murder) (victim under 13 years old and committed with a sexual motivation) | Life with parole eligibility after 30 years |
| Murder (Second-Degree Murder) (committed with a sexual motivation and the defendant has a sexually violent predator specification, or involving terrorism) | Life without parole (eligible for parole after 30 years if the defendant was under 18) |
| Aggravated Murder (First-Degree Murder) | Life without parole or life with parole eligibility after 20, 25, or 30 years (if victim was under 13 years old and the murder was committed with a sexual motivation, the minimum sentence is life with parole eligibility after 30 years) |
| Aggravated Murder (First-Degree Murder) (with capital specification for certain aggravating factors such as special victims, murder-for-hire, multiple victims, witness as victim, committed in the course of another serious felony offense) | Death, life without parole, life with parole eligibility after 25 or 30 years (if victim was under 13 years old and the murder was committed with a sexual motivation, the minimum sentence is life with parole eligibility after 30 years) |
| Aggravated Murder (First-Degree Murder) (involving terrorism or committed with a sexual motivation and the defendant has a sexually violent predator specification) | Death or life without parole (eligible for parole after 30 years if the defendant was under 18) |
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Oklahoma
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life with parole or not less than 10 years |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole, or life with parole eligibility after 38 years (a portion of the sentence can be suspended at the judge's discretion) |
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(life with and without parole are eligible for reduction after 38 years)[30]
Oregon
Sources: [31]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 25 years for adults, 15 years if the defendant was under 18) |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole or life (minimum of 30 years for adults, 15 years if the defendant was under 18 and only an option) |
| Aggravated Murder | Death, life without parole, or life (minimum of 30 years for adults, 15 years if the defendant was under 18 and only an option) |
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Pennsylvania
More information Offense, Mandatory sentence ...
| Offense | Mandatory sentence |
|---|---|
| Third Degree Murder | Maximum of 40 years in prison (parole eligibility cannot exceed more than half the maximum sentence) |
| Second Degree Murder if the defendant was under 15 | Life (eligible for parole after no less than 20 years) |
| Second Degree Murder if the defendant was 15-17 | Life (eligible for parole after no less than 30 years) |
| Second Degree Murder | Life without parole (eligible for commutation by governor provided there is a unanimous recommendation by the Board of Pardons) |
| First Degree Murder if the defendant was under 15 | Life (eligible for parole after no less than 25 years) |
| First Degree Murder if the defendant was under 15-17 | Life (eligible for parole after no less than 35 years) |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances) or life without parole (eligible for commutation by governor provided there is a unanimous recommendation by the Board of Pardons) |
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Rhode Island
More information Offense, Mandatory sentence ...
| Offense | Mandatory sentence |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | Life (parole eligibility after 25 years; 20 years if crime was committed before July 1, 2015) or no less than 10 years (eligible for parole after serving half the sentence) |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole or life (parole eligibility after 25 years; 20 years if crime was committed before July 1, 2015) |
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South Carolina
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Involuntary Manslaughter | Maximum of 5 years in prison |
| Voluntary Manslaughter | 2–30 years in prison |
| Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole, or no less than 30 years |
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South Dakota
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| First Degree Manslaughter | Maximum of life without parole (defendants under 18 cannot be sentenced to life without parole) |
| Second Degree Murder | Life without parole (if the defendant was under 18, they are sentenced to any number of years) |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances) or life without parole (if the defendant was under 18, they are sentenced to any number of years) |
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Tennessee
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 15–25 years (Range I offender), 25–40 years, (Range II offender), 40–60 years (Range III offender) [32] |
| First Degree Murder (no aggravating circumstances) | Life (minimum of 51 years, eligible for parole after 20 years if the defendant was under 18)[33] |
| First Degree Murder (aggravating circumstances) | Death, life without parole, or life (minimum of 51 years, eligible for parole after 30 years and only an option if defendant was under 18) |
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Texas
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing[34] |
|---|---|
| Murder (Second-Degree Murder) | 5 to 99 years (eligible for parole after half the sentence or 30 years, whichever is less) or life (minimum of 30 years) |
| Capital Murder (First-Degree Murder) | Death or life without parole (eligible for parole after 40 years if the defendant was under 18 or has been sentenced to life before September 1, 2005) |
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Utah
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing (Parole Eligibility Determined by Parole Board) ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing
(Parole Eligibility Determined by Parole Board) |
|---|---|
| Murder | 15 years to life |
| Aggravated Murder | Death, life without parole, or 25 years to life (defendants under 18 cannot be sentenced to life without parole) |
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Vermont
Source:[35]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder if mitigating factors outweigh any aggravating factors | Life (minimum of 10–20 years) |
| Second Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 20 years) |
| Second Degree Murder if aggravating factors outweigh any mitigating factors | Life (minimum of any number of years, but not less than 20 years, only an option for anyone under 18) or life without parole |
| First Degree Murder if mitigating factors outweigh any aggravating factors | Life (minimum of 15–35 years) |
| First Degree Murder | Life (minimum of 35 years) |
| First Degree Murder if aggravating factors outweigh any mitigating factors | Life (minimum of any number of years, but not less than 35 years, only an option if defendant was under 18) or life without parole |
| Aggravated Murder | Life without parole (defendant is eligible for parole after 35 years if he or she was under 18) |
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Virginia
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 5–40 years[36] |
| Felony Murder | 5–40 years |
| First Degree Murder | Between 20 years and life imprisonment (parole eligibility for life sentence if crime committed before January 1, 1995: 15 years or 20 years if sentenced to more than 1 life sentence, 25 years if the victim was under the age of 8) (Prisoners are eligible for geriatric parole when they turn 60) |
| Aggravated Murder | Life without parole (ineligible for geriatric parole, if the defendant was under 18, they can get parole) (Judge can use discretion to suspend portion of life sentence unless the victim was a police officer) |
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Washington
Sources: [37]
More information Offense, Mandatory sentence ...
| Offense | Mandatory sentence |
|---|---|
| Sentence enhancers | Use of a firearm: 5 years, 10 years if subsequent conviction
Use of other deadly weapon: 2 years, 4 years if subsequent conviction Sexual motivation: 2 years, 4 years if subsequent conviction |
| Second Degree Murder if defendant is under 18 | Maximum of life with the possibility of parole after 20 years (10-18 years is standard sentence without criminal record) |
| Second Degree Murder if defendant is 18+ | Maximum of life without parole (10-18 years is standard sentence without criminal record) |
| First Degree Murder if defendant is under 18 | Maximum of life with the possibility of parole after 20 years (20-27 years is standard sentence without criminal record) |
| First Degree Murder if defendant is 18+ | Mandatory minimum of 20 years, maximum of life without parole (20-27 years is standard sentence without criminal record) |
| Aggravated First Degree Murder if defendant is under 18 | Mandatory minimum of 25 years, maximum of life with the possibility of parole after 25 years |
| Aggravated First Degree Murder if defendant is 18-20 | Mandatory minimum of 25 years, maximum of life without parole |
| Aggravated First Degree Murder if defendant is 21+ | Life without parole |
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West Virginia
Source:[38]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Murder | 10–40 years |
| First Degree Murder | Life without parole or life (minimum of 15 years) |
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Wisconsin
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| First Degree Reckless Homicide or Second Degree Intentional Homicide | 15–60 years |
| First Degree Intentional Homicide | Life without parole or life (minimum of no less than 20 years) |
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Wyoming
Source:[39]
More information Offense, Mandatory Sentencing ...
| Offense | Mandatory Sentencing |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter | Maximum of 20 years in prison |
| Second Degree Murder | Minimum of 20 years and maximum of life |
| First Degree Murder | Death (aggravating circumstances), life without parole, or life (can be paroled by governor) |
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- Lord Mustill on the Common Law concerning murder
- Sir Edward Coke Co. Inst., Pt. III, ch.7, p. 50
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