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There's no set standard, it entirely depends upon the individual case and the circumstances surrounding it- whether it was done in self-defence, whether it was an act of desperation after years of abuse and provokation by a violent partner, and so on.

There can be many mitigating circumstances- malicious, pre-meditated murder usually carries what's known as a 'life sentence', but this isn't really life, it's 25 years UNLESS the judge deems the culprit to be especially dangerous, in which case he or she can order the offender to be detained for longer or even for the rest of their natural lives. On the other hand, people who are driven to kill as an act of desperation after years of violent abuse or in self-defence, have been known to walk free from court and be aquitted. It's completley dependent on the individual circumstances.

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12y ago

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