What is the potential sentence for a Class B Felony manslaughter in the 1st degree with a firearm?

• A. Not more than 5 years
• B. 1-20 years
• C. 5-40 years
• D. 1 year

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that felonies are assigned classes with built-in sentencing ranges, and adding a firearm usually increases the potential punishment. For a Class B felony manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm, the statute typically sets a sentence range from five years to forty years in prison. The minimum of five years reflects the serious nature of the offense, and the maximum up to forty years accounts for the firearm enhancement.

Other ranges don’t fit this level of offense: a maximum of five years is too short for a Class B felony with a firearm; a range of one to twenty years underestimates the upper end; and one year is far too light for a felonious killing involving a firearm. So five to forty years is the best match.