How much time does one serve for 3rd degree murder in PA?

Answer 1

Some states have guidelines that prosecutors and judges will try to follow when sentencing someone convicted of a crime. It is up to the judge over the case to decide the punishment and even though they have guidlines to follow it is at the judges discretion to follow the guidline.

So for example someone convicted of a homicide may be subject to a 20 yr minimum sentence. The court will look at the persons involvement in the case and how serious the case is and other things such as motive. If the homicide was comitted in order to receive some kind of benifit or if it was comitted out of anger or other reasons.

In general its safe to say that the judge will sentence someone convicted of homicide not so much according to guidlines, but as he/she feels is a justifyable sentence for the accused.

An attorney in your county can give you a much better idea of the process and what to expect because an attorney in your area will be familliar with the judge overseeing the case and can say maybe the judge over this case is very hard on people or very leniate.

Best thing to do is find out what court the case will be held in and call a few attorneys familliar with that court.