This study explores the factors that are influencing the penalty for corruption crime in China through an empirical analysis; the data were derived from criminal court verdicts. The results reflect the offenders’ gender and educational level, as it corresponds to the length of sentencing. The embezzlement amount was also an important factor affecting the penalty for corruption crime. Moreover, whether the offender surrendered and whether they disgorged their profits, were also associated with the sentence. The results provide the inspiration for exploring the various factors that influence the penalty for corruption crime, which can be utilized to determine problems with the penalty for corruption crime in today’s China. Keyword: penalty for corruption crime, empirical study, criminal court verdicts, embezzlement amount, surrender, disgorge.