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The best answer anyone can give for this is, "It depends."

It depends on what type of abuse was performed. Charges of the various degrees of sexual abuse can bring up to life in prison, whereas physical abuse, even the worst may result in no more than a 20 year maximum, where the offender is out in two years of less.

It depends on the relationship between the offender and the victim. Familial situations may result in lower or no prison sentence, while offenders who have a position of authority may receive very stiff sentences (teachers, doctors, etc.) or no sentence at all (law enforcement officers, prison guards, etc.).

It depends on the duration or course of time under which the abuse occurred. If it was a one time situation, the offender may do no more time than his arrest and awaiting for arraignment. However, an offender who has abused someone for a lengthy period of time, months or years may serve years in prison.

It depends on the mental and/or physical state of the victim. A crime against a mentally or physically challenged person is often viewed as far more heinous than crimes against the average individual. Sentences reflect this.

It depends on the mental state of the offender. If drugs or alcohol were involved in the commission of the crime, penalties may be stiffer with additional charges. If the offender was emotionally compromised, there may be no penalty at all.

There are additional variables, and these may be different for different states as well as the federal sentencing guidelines are concerned.

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13y ago

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