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Speak Up! - View Question #581 |
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Question: How long can someone go to jail if they murder someone?
Answer: That depends upon which crime a murder is classified.
Reckless manslaughter (ARS §13-1103) is the killing of a human being or an unborn child without malice or premeditation (planning to do it); which is different than 'murder', which requires malicious intent. Examples of manslaughter would include someone who kills another person while driving drunk. In arizona, aiding someone while they commit suicide is also considered manslaughter.
Murder in the second degree (see ARS §13-1104) in Arizona is when someone kills another person intentionally and the act is not planned or premeditated.
Murder in the 1st degree (ARS §13-1105) in Arizona is a person kills another person deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life; and the killing was premeditated or planned in advance. Also, if a person is killed during other specific crimes, a person can be tried for 1st degree murder (see ARS §13-1105 for more).
The penalty for these crimes ranges from about 10 years for reckless manslaughter (ARS §13-1103) to life in prison or even the death penalty for people convicted of 1st degree murder (ARS §13-703).
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