Home / Brazil / Homicide — murder (doloso)
Homicide — murder (doloso)Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
Art. 121 caput — simple homicide
- Imprisonment
- Reclusão 6–20 years
- Fine
- —
Art. 121 § 1º — privileged
- Imprisonment
- Judge MAY reduce by 1/6–1/3
- Fine
- —
Relevant social / moral value, or violent emotion after unjust provocation.
Art. 121 § 2º — qualified
- Imprisonment
- Reclusão 12–30 years
- Fine
- —
Payment / reward or base motive; futile motive; poison, fire, explosive, asphyxia, torture or other insidious / cruel means, or means that may cause common danger; treachery, ambush, dissimulation or means hindering / impossible defence; to ensure execution / concealment / impunity / advantage of another crime; against authority / agent, prison-system / National Public Security Force, judiciary / MP / Public Defence / Public Advocacy or court officers, in function or because of it, or spouse / partner / relative to 3rd degree; restricted / prohibited firearm; child under 14; on school premises.
Art. 121 § 4º (doloso) — victim under 14 or over 60
- Imprisonment
- Range INCREASED by 1/3
- Fine
- —
Art. 121 § 6º — private militia / extermination group
- Imprisonment
- Range INCREASED by 1/3–1/2
- Fine
- —
Feminicídio is now a SEPARATE offence, art. 121-A (Lei 14.994/2024): killing a woman for reasons of female condition — 20–40 years, increases 1/3–1/2 in listed cases. Cross-reference only; the old art. 121 § 2º VI qualifier is REVOKED. Art. 121-B vicaricídio (Lei 15.384/2026): 20–40 years — outside the core taxonomy.