<P> Below are several examples of how a murderer may be sentenced, by state: </P> <P> In Arizona, a person is charged with murder if an offender knowingly and intentionally causes the death of a person or unborn child . The murder must be premeditated . If an individual is found guilty of murder, there are three possible sentences: 35 years to life, life without parole, or the death penalty . </P> <P> In Florida, a person is guilty of first degree murder when it is perpetrated from a premeditated design to result in the death of a human being . Murder is categorized as a capital offense; if convicted, the offender will receive either the death penalty or life in prison without parole . A unanimous vote of a twelve - person jury, is required to sentence a person to death if he is convicted of capital murder . </P> <P> In Hawaii, a person is found guilty of second degree murder when they intentionally and knowingly cause the death of another person . If the person intentionally or knowingly kills more than one person, or kills a law enforcement officer, a judge, or a prosecutor in the line of, or as a result of, their duties, a witness to a crime, or a defendant to a corroborated crime, or if he hires another party to kill a certain individual, the person has met the criteria to be charged with first degree murder . The State of Hawaii has no death penalty . If they are found guilty, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment without parole . </P>

The most common form of criminal sentencing in the u.s. is