Crimes and Sentencing of 10-20-Life Felons

Maximum Prison Sentence Length

The maximum (total) sentence received may be greater than the longest mandatory 10-20-Life sentence imposed for offenders. For example, 154 felons whose longest 10-20-Life mandatory was 10 years received total sentences of life in prison. In many cases, the longer total sentence reflects these felons' more serious criminal histories.

• Three-fifths (60.6%) of those convicted as felons possessing guns received a total sentence of 3 years, the same length as the mandatory minimum sentence imposed under 10-20-Life; but 11.5% (221 of 1,914) received a total sentence of 10 years or longer.
  
  
• Almost three-fourths (71.6%) of felons who pulled a gun, but did not fire it (10-year mandatory) received total sentences of at least 10 years and less than 20 years; but one-fifth (20.7%) received a total sentence of 25 years or longer, including 154 (9.4%) who were sentenced to life in prison.
  
  
• About three-fifths (61.2%) of felons who fired a gun without causing injury or death (20-year mandatory) received total sentences of at least 20 years and less than 25 years; and almost two-fifths (38.8%) received total sentences of 25 years or longer, including 26 (12.9%) who were sentenced to life in prison.
  
  
• More than two-fifths (45.1%) of felons who injured or killed a victim using a gun (25-year to life mandatory) were sentenced to life in prison; and more than half (54.9%) received total sentences of 25 years of longer.