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How Long Is a Life Sentence in China? - China Law in One Minute

Mon, 23 Nov 2020
Categories: China Law in One Minute
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
Editor: Yuan Yanchao 袁燕超
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In China, the longest sentence is a life sentence or life imprisonment.

Imprisonment in China is divided into fixed-term imprisonment and life imprisonment. The term of fixed-term imprisonment shall be not less than six months but not more than 15 years, and the decided fixed-term imprisonment shall not exceed 25 years if the sum of terms of fixed-term imprisonment is 35 years or more.

That is, if the criminal could be sentenced to imprisonment for more than 35 years, he/she may be directly sentenced to life imprisonment.

For more about China's Criminal Law, please click here.

 

References:

Criminal Law (2017): Articles 32, 45 and 69

 

Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team

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China Law in One Minute
Criminal Law

Related laws on China Laws Portal

Criminal Law of China (2017)

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