How long is "life" imprisonment?
921401
I think life is 14 yrs but it depends on how many life sentences they get usually it mounts up to how many things there getting charged with i think.
674676
Yes I agree with the death penalty. Life in prison is not a punishment for long term prisoners. Three meals a day, cable TV, no bills. They think it's a good life.
305008
I would say in any state, life in prison.
821484
As most have said, jail is for short term housing.  Mostly people who are awaiting trial, or held for short term sentences\n\nPrisons are for long term incarceration.  Long sentences
201646
These are the penalty laws of indiana.\n\nIC 35-50-2-3 Murder Penalties (2005)\nSummary: Murder is punishable by a fixed term of 45-65 years imprisonment, with an advisory sentence of 55 years, and up to a $10,000 fine. Alternatively, if at least 16 years of age at the time of the murder, the defendant may be sentenced to life without parole, and if at least 18 years of age at the time of the murder, may be sentenced to death, unless found to be mentally retarded. \n\nIC 35-50-2-9 Death Sentence (2005)\n(Trial Procedures; Aggravating/Mitigating Circumstances; Appeals)\nSummary: Murder is the only crime for which a death sentence may be imposed. At the discretion of the Prosecuting Attorney, the State may seek a death sentence by allegations on a separate page of the Indictment or Information. Upon request of the defendant, it is required that the jury be sequestered (not separated even at night) during the trial. A bifurcated (two-stage) hearing is required. In the first stage, the guilt or innocence of the defendant on the charge of murder is determined. If found guilty, the same jury reconvenes for the second (sentencing) phase of the trial. The State must allege and prove beyond a reasonable doubt at least 1 of 16 aggravating circumstances listed in the statute. The most common is intentional murder while committing another serious felony. Mitigating Circumstances can also be raised. While not limited by statute, they often include the young age of the defendant, the lack of a prior criminal record, and mental illness. All evidence presented at the first phase of the trial may be considered. The jury of 12 is given 3 verdicts to choose from: death penalty, life imprisonment without parole, or neither. Any verdict must be unanimous. Any verdict is binding and the trial judge must sentence in accordance with the verdict. The jury is advised as to the statutory penalties for murder and any available good time credit or clemency. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the trial Judge alone shall determine the sentence. In order to return a verdict for the death penalty or life without parole, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of an aggravating circumstance, and that any mitigating circumstances are outweighed by the aggravating circumstance(s). If neither, the defendant is sentenced to a determinate term of between 45 and 65 years of imprisonment. The trial Judge may receive victim impact evidence at sentencing. There is an automatic expedited appeal of a death sentence to the Indiana Supreme Court. \n\nIC 35-38-6 Death Penalty Procedure (2005)\n(Manner and Method of Executions)\nSummary: The prescribed method of execution is by lethal injection, to be carried out at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, before sunrise by the Indiana Department of Corrections. Witnesses are limited to the warden and assistants, the prison physician and chaplain, and 10 guests and spiritual advisor of the inmate. If the inmate is pregnant, the execution is suspended until no longer pregnant. \n\nIC 35-36-9 Pretrial Determination of Mental Retardation (2005)\n(Exempting Mentally Retarded from Execution) \nSummary: Allows a capital defendant to file a petition 20 days before Omnibus Date alleging that he is mentally retarded. Upon filing, the court orders a mental evaluation, and a hearing is held. The burden of proof is on the defendant to show by clear and convincing evidence that he is mentally retarded. If this burden is met, the death penalty allegations must be dismissed. "Mentally Retarded" is defined as one who, before 22 years of age, manifests: (1) significantly subaverage intellectual functioning; and (2) substantial impairment of adaptive behavior; that is documented in a court ordered evaluative report. \n\nIndiana Criminal Rule 24 - Capital Cases (2005)\n(Minimum Qualifications, Caseloads and Compensation of Trial and Appellate Counsel; Ex Parte Experts and Services; Execution Dates; T
930891
At least 3 - 4 years if underground in a coffin.  \n")
829311
Do you mean life expectancy? I understand it was about three weeks.\n\nJust for comparison, the life expectancy of a bomb disposal officer in London in WWII was around six weeks.
607792
In most jurisdictions, almost every state, the crime is a state crime.  The punishment is either life imprisonment or some form of that like 30 years to life OR death.  The number of years for being in prison may vary, state to state.  Mostly today, society is gearing towards life without the possibility of parole.  That means being in prison for the rest of one's life.
755022
Currently it is more expensive to keep someone on deathrow until execution than it is to keep them in prison for life.  Some estimates say that it can be up to three times as much to execute someone.  You cannot shorten the appeals process because of our constitutional right to appeal.
1058696
Judges formally have to give 2 consecutive life sentences because thats the punishment the crimes calls for. Of course it does not mean their bodies sit in jail after they die, it would rot!\nIf it was only 1 person that was murdered, the person could get two life sentences because one would be for the act of homicide while the other might be for a felony the defendant was committing simultaneously with the crime. (I.E. A person commits first degree sexual assault then murders the victim during the same act.)\n\nThe point it, the judge must formally give the defendant his sentencing. But you are right, the symantics and logic of "you will be in prison until you die" serves the same purpose but the first one is much less grusom to the listeners ear.
273459
There is no way to tell you from the information given as it depends entirely upon the rules in your state.\n\nIn my state, I would expect 3 years.\n\nSince you specified Texas, it does appear that you can apply to learn this inmate's projected release date if you have the proper information.  Take a look at the website below.
722866
Depends on your state.  Most states you could easily go to jail for a year at least.
803282
What does that matter? They are being tried & convicted some to life in prison, some to death. Military prison is not like state prison either.
571515
Well, "life sentence" means "You are in jail until you die", but there are often chances to be paroled.  The number of years before eligibility for parole will depend on the crime.
307891
You can look at it 2 ways....not enough or too many.  But what difference does it make if nothing realistically happens to them on death row since they sit there for 20+ years not having to worry about the crime, their victims or their victims family, room, board, etc.  I think there are way too many appeals given, I mean come on 20+ years of appeals.
625857
Pro capital punishment, I just think they shouldn't stay on death row for 12 years... yes, a few innocents may have been put to death, but thousands of lives have been saved.\n\nIf life in a cell was worse than death then most criminals wouldn't fight the death penalty ;)  Most do even after 10 or more years on death row...
677152
That's a good idea, actually- but I don't know what the sentence should be...\n\nMaybe three years mandatory in prison (minimum!)- without the possibility of getting out early. But if the crime is premeditated and cruel, then the sentence should be more severe.