In the French penal code, murder is defined by the intentional killing of another person. Murder is punishable by [1] a maximum of 30 years of criminal imprisonment (no more than 20 years if the defendant is not sentenced to 30 years). [2] [3] Assassination (murder with premeditation or after lying in wait for the victim) [4] and murder in some special cases in accordance with Article 221-4 [5] (including if the victim is a child under 15, against vulnerable people due to age, health etc, in the context of domestic violence, against some professionals in connection with their duty, in a gang etc) ) [6] are punished by a jail term up to life imprisonment (no more than 30 years if the defendant is not sentenced to life). [7] [8] The same punishment is given to murder committed in connection to other criminal offenses according to Article 221-2. [9] [10] [11]
Except for recidivists, [12] the minimum sentence in criminal prosecutions is one or two years' imprisonment, which may be suspended if the sentence is under 5 years. [13] Acts of violence causing an unintended death (Article 222-7 of the Penal Code -Les violences ayant entraîné la mort sans intention de la donner) [14] [15] [16] [17] are punished by 15 years' imprisonment, or 20 years if aggravating circumstances exist [18] (which are the same as those that would make a murderer eligible for life in prison). [19] [20] [21]
In the French penal code, murder is defined by the intentional killing of another person. Murder is punishable by [1] a maximum of 30 years of criminal imprisonment (no more than 20 years if the defendant is not sentenced to 30 years). [2] [3] Assassination (murder with premeditation or after lying in wait for the victim) [4] and murder in some special cases in accordance with Article 221-4 [5] (including if the victim is a child under 15, against vulnerable people due to age, health etc, in the context of domestic violence, against some professionals in connection with their duty, in a gang etc) ) [6] are punished by a jail term up to life imprisonment (no more than 30 years if the defendant is not sentenced to life). [7] [8] The same punishment is given to murder committed in connection to other criminal offenses according to Article 221-2. [9] [10] [11]
Except for recidivists, [12] the minimum sentence in criminal prosecutions is one or two years' imprisonment, which may be suspended if the sentence is under 5 years. [13] Acts of violence causing an unintended death (Article 222-7 of the Penal Code -Les violences ayant entraîné la mort sans intention de la donner) [14] [15] [16] [17] are punished by 15 years' imprisonment, or 20 years if aggravating circumstances exist [18] (which are the same as those that would make a murderer eligible for life in prison). [19] [20] [21]