In the US judicial system after a person is convicted and are at sentencing, why are some sentences (as an example) “25 years to life”? What does that mean in practice and why are some sentences exact times and others are ranges?

Question

In the US judicial system after a person is convicted and are at sentencing, why are some sentences (as an example) “25 years to life”? What does that mean in practice and why are some sentences exact times and others are ranges?

In: Other

Answer 1

When you hear sentences given as a range like “5-10 years” or “25 years to life” that means the convicted person must serve at least the low end of the range, before being eligible for parole.

So “5-10” is minimum five years, and then a chance of parole after 5 years, and a maximum of 10 years.

And “25-Life” is a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years before parole is an option.