First-degree murder: penalties in each state
Killing another person on purpose and with planning (premeditation), and in most states also killings during certain serious crimes.
What to look for: The big dividing line is the death penalty and whether a life sentence ever allows release.
These are statutory ranges for a first offence, from the least to the most the law allows. A court decides the actual sentence in each case. Not legal advice.
9 states covered so far
Arizona
Death, or life imprisonment (no release for at least 25 years), or natural life
Show the degrees and the statutes
First-degree murder (Class 1 felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Death; or life imprisonment, with no release for at least 25 years (35 if the victim was under 15); or natural life, with no release at all
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A person under 18 at the time of the offence cannot receive death, but may receive life or natural life.
California
25 years to life, or life without parole, or death
Show the degrees and the statutes
Murder in the first degree (Felony)
- Least
- 25 years to life
- Most
- Death; or life in prison without the possibility of parole; or 25 years to life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000, where the offence sets no fine (§ 672)
With a special circumstance found true (§ 190.2), the sentence is death or life without parole. The penalty is decided under §§ 190.1 to 190.4.
Florida
Death, or life imprisonment with no parole
Show the degrees and the statutes
Murder in the first degree (Capital felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Death, or life imprisonment with no parole
A person under 18 at the time cannot receive death. For such a person the sentence is life or a long term of years after a sentencing hearing (§ 775.082).
Iowa
Life imprisonment, with no parole
Show the degrees and the statutes
Murder in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Life imprisonment, with no parole unless the Governor commutes the sentence
A person who was under 18 at the time of the offence receives a different sentence under § 902.1.
Maryland
Life imprisonment, with or without the possibility of parole
Show the degrees and the statutes
Murder in the first degree (Felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, or life without the possibility of parole
New York
Life imprisonment without parole (or life with a long minimum term)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Murder in the first degree (Class A-I felony)
- Least
- Life, with a minimum term of 20 to 25 years in some cases
- Most
- Life imprisonment without parole
- Fine
- Fine of up to the higher of $5,000 or double the gain from the crime (§ 80.00)
A class A-I felony. A life sentence carries a minimum of 15 to 25 years under § 70.00(3), and a life sentence without parole may be imposed for first-degree murder (§ 70.00(5)).
Texas
Death, or life without parole (capital murder)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Capital murder (Capital felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Death, or life imprisonment without parole
A person under 18 at the time of the offence receives life imprisonment, not death or life without parole.
Texas has no 'first-degree murder' by that name. The nearest offence is capital murder (§ 19.03), which covers the most serious killings, such as the murder of a police officer, murder committed in the course of certain other serious crimes, and murder for hire.
Virginia
20 years to life (first degree); life with no parole (aggravated murder)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Murder in the first degree (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 20 years
- Most
- Life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $100,000
Includes a willful, deliberate and premeditated killing, and a killing in the course of arson, rape, robbery, burglary or abduction.
Aggravated murder (capital murder) (Class 1 felony)
- Least
- Life
- Most
- Life imprisonment, with no parole
- Fine
- Fine of up to $100,000
Covers the most serious killings, such as a premeditated killing of a law-enforcement officer, a killing for hire, or a killing in the course of abduction for money. A person who was 18 or older receives life with no parole.
Washington
Up to life imprisonment; life without release for aggravated murder
Show the degrees and the statutes
Murder in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Life imprisonment
- Fine
- Fine of up to $50,000
Aggravated first-degree murder (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole
Life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole.
Other states are being added. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
