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]
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