Under Illinois law, second-degree murder applies when there is serious provocation of the defendant or when the defendant believes their actions are justified even though that belief is unreasonable; second-degree murder is punishable by a term of four to 20 years in prison or probation.
October 29, 2025
high
legal
Definition and sentencing range for second-degree murder under Illinois law.
Under Illinois law as described in 2025 reporting, second-degree murder can be applied when a defendant acted under a 'serious provocation' or when the defendant held a belief that their action was justified even if that belief was unreasonable.
October 29, 2025
high
legal
Describes the legal standard for second-degree murder as provided to a jury.
Second-degree murder can apply when there is a serious provocation that would cause a reasonable person to become impassioned, or in cases characterized as "imperfect self-defense," in which a defendant believes their actions were justified even if that belief is unreasonable.
high
legal_definition
General legal standard describing circumstances that can reduce a homicide charge to second-degree murder or involve imperfect self-defense.
The sentencing ranges cited for murder charges in this jurisdiction include 45 years to life imprisonment for first-degree murder and 4 to 20 years for second-degree murder.
high
legal_statute
Durable sentencing ranges referenced for first- and second-degree murder convictions in the case's jurisdiction.
Criminal juries can be instructed to consider lesser-included offenses (for example, second-degree murder) when first-degree murder charges are presented.
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legal_procedure
Options to convict on lesser-included offenses are a common part of jury instructions in criminal trials.
Whether a defendant reasonably believed they were acting in self-defense is a factor that juries may use to distinguish between first-degree murder and second-degree murder.
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legal_principle
The reasonableness of a claimed belief in self-defense affects the assessment of the defendant's mental state and culpability.
A conviction for first-degree murder can carry a sentence of up to life in prison, whereas a conviction for second-degree murder can, in some cases, result in no prison time.
high
sentencing
Sentencing ranges and mandatory penalties vary by jurisdiction, but first-degree murder often carries the most severe penalties while lesser degrees may carry lesser or discretionary penalties.