How should Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment should be punished by the court, how and why?

arghh: How should Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment should be punished by the court, how and why?
Legally, how should he be punished, he carried around the murder of a woman pawn-broker, ostensibly for money, but in reality to prove that some individuals are above the law. Ultimately, his conscience forces him to confess the crime….
I need you opinion.

Answers and Views:

Answer by gldmj5
I read that years ago, and if I remember correctly it was a double murder. First degree murder for the pawn broker and second degree murder for her sister.

He did not prove he is above the law. That theory of his falls apart throughout the story while his guilt builds for murdering the pawn broker’s sister. That’s the real story: his disillusionment with the irrational beliefs he had prior to the murders and a new, rejuvenated philosophy on life afterwards, which ultimately leads to the confession. His guilt was his real punishment.

Given his confession, I would think he should get life in prison. I don’t know exactly how things worked in 19th century Russia, but if happened in contemporary U.S., sentencing guidelines would dictate he get either get life in prison or the death penalty depending on the state and the ruling judge.