Legal Definitions - life sentence

A life sentence is a judicial punishment that mandates a convicted individual's imprisonment for the remainder of their natural life. While many jurisdictions allow for the possibility of parole after a specified minimum period, the core sentence itself is for an indefinite duration, lasting until the person's death unless the conviction is overturned or the sentence is commuted.

Here are some examples illustrating a life sentence:

• Example 1: First-Degree Murder Conviction
  A defendant is found guilty of first-degree murder after intentionally planning and carrying out a fatal shooting. The judge imposes a life sentence, meaning the individual will be incarcerated for the rest of their life. In this particular state, the sentence includes a provision that the person may apply for parole after serving 25 years. However, even if parole is granted, the original life sentence remains, and the individual would still be under correctional supervision for the rest of their life.

• Example 2: Repeat Serious Offender
  A state has a "three strikes" law designed to impose harsher penalties on repeat serious offenders. An individual with two prior convictions for serious felonies, such as aggravated assault and carjacking, commits a third serious felony by engaging in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. Even though the third offense did not involve homicide, the court, applying the "three strikes" statute, sentences the individual to life imprisonment, ensuring they remain in custody indefinitely due to their history of serious criminal behavior.

• Example 3: Life Without Parole for Heinous Crime
  Following a conviction for the brutal torture and murder of multiple victims, the prosecutor seeks the harshest possible penalty. The court, considering the extreme nature of the crimes, imposes a life sentence without the possibility of parole. This specific type of life sentence explicitly removes any future opportunity for release, guaranteeing that the convicted person will spend every remaining day of their life in prison, regardless of how much time they serve.