Criminal penalties compared

What can a person receive for manslaughter in Russia, in France, in Algeria or in Morocco? And for burglary in Iowa, or in Arizona? Each US state and each country writes its own criminal law, and the answers differ a great deal. This guide sets the codes side by side for twelve common crimes.

Read this first

Every figure is a range, from the least to the most the statute allows. It is never a typical or an expected sentence. A court decides the sentence in each case, on the facts, the person and the law that applies.
Where a state has several degrees of a crime, each degree is shown, from the mildest to the most serious.
The ranges are for a first offence. Earlier convictions, weapons, the victim’s age or position and other factors can raise them.
Laws change. Each entry links to the state’s own text. Check the statute, and speak to a lawyer, before you rely on anything here. This is general information, not legal advice.

Choose a crime

See every covered state and country for one crime, side by side.

First-degree murder

Killing another person on purpose and with planning (premeditation), and in most states also killings during certain serious crimes.

Second-degree murder

Killing another person on purpose, or with extreme disregard for human life, but without planning.

Voluntary manslaughter

Killing another person in the heat of passion after serious provocation. In some states the same offence also covers reckless killings.

Robbery

Taking property from a person by force or by threatening force. Armed robbery and robbery causing injury are usually more serious degrees.

Burglary

Entering a building or other structure to commit a crime inside. Burglary of an occupied home is usually the most serious degree.

Arson

Deliberately setting fire to a building or other property. Setting fire to a building where people are present is usually the most serious degree.

Aggravated assault

An assault made worse by a weapon, by serious injury, or by the victim's position. States use different names for the same conduct.

Rape and sexual assault

Sexual contact without consent, or with a person who cannot consent. The most serious degree usually involves force, serious injury or a very young victim.

Kidnapping

Taking or holding a person against their will, often to demand money, to commit another crime, or while armed.

Embezzlement

Keeping or using for yourself money or property that was entrusted to you, such as an employee taking from an employer.

Forgery

Making or altering a document, such as a cheque, will or contract, with intent to deceive.

Drunk driving, first offence

Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, with no earlier conviction and no injury to anyone.

Choose a country

32 countries so far, each read from its own criminal code in the original language. Codes name and divide offences differently, so each entry says which offence is the closest match to the crime in the list.

Choose a US state

34 of 50 states are covered so far. Each one was checked against the state’s official statutes. The rest are being added.

What this guide leaves out

Federal law, drug crimes and the changing money thresholds for theft are not covered. Sentence enhancements for repeat offenders, parole and early-release rules are mentioned only where they set a floor. For the death penalty, each state page says whether the law allows it.

Cite this page

TheLawToKnow Tools. Criminal Penalties Compared. https://tools.thelawtoknow.com/criminal-penalties.

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