For instance, in the United States, carjacking is generally treated as a federal offense if the vehicle crosses state lines during the crime or during flight following the crime. Under federal law, carjacking carries a severe mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, and the maximum punishment in the United States Code is 25 years imprisonment. However, in cases involving death or serious bodily injury resulting from the carjacking, the offender could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Some states have their laws pertaining to carjacking, resulting in variable levels of punishment across different jurisdictions.
Therefore, while the specific sentence can differ, carjacking generally leads to several years or decades in prison due to its severe nature and potentially significant impact on victims.