Second Degree Murder is punishable by

Second Degree Murder is punishable by

• A. 1-5 years
• B. Life imprisonment
• C. 5-40 years
• D. Death penalty

Answer: (C)

Second-degree murder involves killing with malice but without premeditation or qualifying capital-murder circumstances. In Virginia, this level of murder is punishable by a prison term of 5 to 40 years. The death penalty is reserved for capital murder, not second-degree murder, and a short term like 1–5 years would fit lesser offenses such as manslaughter rather than murder. So the 5–40 year range is the correct penalty.

Second-degree murder involves killing with malice but without premeditation or qualifying capital-murder circumstances. In Virginia, this level of murder is punishable by a prison term of 5 to 40 years. The death penalty is reserved for capital murder, not second-degree murder, and a short term like 1–5 years would fit lesser offenses such as manslaughter rather than murder. So the 5–40 year range is the correct penalty.