{"id":352143,"date":"2024-01-31T15:50:31","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T20:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/second-degree-murder-penalties-and-sentencing.html"},"modified":"2024-01-31T15:50:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T20:50:31","slug":"second-degree-murder-penalties-and-sentencing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/second-degree-murder-penalties-and-sentencing.html","title":{"rendered":"Second-Degree Murder Penalties and Sentencing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Second-Degree Murder Penalties and Sentencing<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Second-degree murder statutes generally contain a discussion of the appropriate punishments. Usually, this takes the form of a general time period, such as 25 years to life. But, the laws often don’t contain specific information about the sentences. In those states, courts may have wide latitude to determine penalties.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After a judge or jury finds a defendant guilty of\u00a0second-degree murder<\/a>, the case moves on to the sentencing phase. During this phase, the defendant will learn what penalties the state or federal government will impose for their crime.<\/p>\n

Several factors determine the\u00a0sentence<\/a>\u00a0a person may get, such as:<\/p>\n