Murder charges are the most serious felonies under New York Law, though the sentences for them may vary.

The following are the penalties for Murder, keeping in mind that certain mandatory sentencing may be altered depending on which of the following subdivisions a person has been convicted of, or what the person’s criminal history may be.

  • A minimum of up to 15 years to Life, and a maximum of 25 years to Life.
  • This means you serve a designated sentence anywhere between 15 years and 25 years in a New York State Prison (Department of Corrections and Community Supervision) at which point you will become eligible for parole. If you are released before the end of your life, you will always be on parole.
  • Aggravated Murder increases these ranges from 20 years to Life, up to 40 years to Life.
  • Life without the possibility of parole.
  • Attempted Murder in the Second degree does not carry a life sentence. Instead, it has penalties between 5 and 25 years, followed by 2 ½ to 5 years of post-release supervision.

There may also be orders of protection and thousands of dollars in fines and restitution.