Increase the penalty for attempted murder to 20–50 years in prison.

 

The purpose of this bill is to create a heavier precedent around attempted murder and increase public safety.

 

According to the FBI’s crime statistics, “a murder occurred every 31.1 minutes” in 2024. In Minnesota, a first-degree

murder conviction results in a mandatory life sentence, with cases that don’t have aggravating factors oftentimes

receiving a chance for parole after a minimum of 30 years served. However, the sentence for attempted murder in

Minnesota is two-20 years. The current sentence for attempted murder creates a strong precedent of people being rewarded

because their attempt to take another person’s life failed. Someone who committed first-degree murder without

aggravating factors has to face at least 30 years in prison, but someone who attempted to do the same thing could get

out in two years. This bill would change the punishment for attempted murder, which would in turn change the precedent

surrounding it, as well as increase public safety.

 

“Attempted murder” shall be defined as a criminal act where an individual takes concrete steps toward killing another

person, with premeditation and the intent to cause death, but ultimately fails in their attempt.

“Premeditation” shall be defined as the careful planning to do something.

“Intent” shall be defined as the mental objective behind an action.

“Precedent” shall be defined as something done or said that serves as an example to authorize or justify a subsequent

act of an analogous kind.

“Aggravating factor” shall be defined as a specific circumstance that increases the severity of the crime. Typical

examples of aggravating factors include lack of remorse, the amount of harm done to the victim, the use of a weapon,

repeat offenses, and the vulnerability of the victim.

“Parole” shall be defined as the conditional release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence.

 

The funding for this bill will come from an increase on the local sales tax on firearms to 20%. The funding will go

towards prisons for the extra utilities and food needed to house the people affected by this bill for their length of

stay.

 

The penalty for any judge found to have handed down a sentence under the new minimum sentencing will be subject to

professional review by an appellate court, which could lead to sanctions and dismissal of the judge from their duties.

 

January 1st, 2027.