# Idaho Code § 18-4004: 18-4004 PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER

> Idaho · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4004

## Section

- **Citation:** Idaho Code § 18-4004
- **Heading:** 18-4004 PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER
- **Jurisdiction:** Idaho
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Idaho Code / Title 18 / Chapter 40 / Section 18-4004

## Text

18-4004. Punishment for murder. Subject to the provisions of sections 19-2515 and 19-2515A, Idaho Code, every person guilty of murder of the first degree shall be punished by death or by imprisonment for life, provided that a sentence of death shall not be imposed unless the prosecuting attorney filed written notice of intent to seek the death penalty as required under the provisions of section 18-4004A, Idaho Code, and provided further that whenever the death penalty is not imposed the court shall impose a sentence. If a jury, or the court if a jury is waived, finds a statutory aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt but finds that the imposition of the death penalty would be unjust, the court shall impose a fixed life sentence. If a jury, or the court if a jury is waived, does not find a statutory aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt or if the death penalty is not sought, the court shall impose a life sentence with a minimum period of confinement of not less than ten (10) years during which period of confinement the offender shall not be eligible for parole or discharge or credit or reduction of sentence for good conduct, except for meritorious service. Every person guilty of murder of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment not less than ten (10) years and the imprisonment may extend to life.

History:

[I.C., sec. 18-4004, as added by 1972, ch. 336, sec. 1, p. 928; am. 1973, ch. 276, sec. 2, p. 588; am. 1977, ch. 154, sec. 3, p. 391; am. 1986, ch. 232, sec. 2, p. 639; am. 1998, ch. 96, sec. 1, p. 343; am. 2003, ch. 19, sec. 1, p. 71; am. 2003, ch. 136, sec. 1, p. 394.]

## Nearby sections

- [Idaho Code § 18-4001 18-4001 MURDER DEFINED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4001.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4002 18-4002 EXPRESS AND IMPLIED MALICE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4002.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4003 18-4003 DEGREES OF MURDER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4003.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4004 18-4004 PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4004.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4004A 18-4004A NOTICE OF INTENT TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4004A.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4005 18-4005 PETIT TREASON ABOLISHED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4005.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4006 18-4006 MANSLAUGHTER DEFINED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4006.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4007 18-4007 PUNISHMENT FOR MANSLAUGHTER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4007.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4009 18-4009 JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE BY ANY PERSON.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4009.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4011 18-4011 JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE BY OFFICER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4011.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4012 18-4012 EXCUSABLE HOMICIDE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4012.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4013 18-4013 DISCHARGE OF DEFENDANT WHEN HOMICIDE JUSTIFIABLE OR EXCUSABLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4013.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4014 18-4014 ADMINISTERING POISON WITH INTENT TO KILL.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4014.md)
- [Idaho Code § 18-4015 18-4015 ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO MURDER.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4015.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ID_T18_C40_S18-4004. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.