The Differences Between Types of Homicides

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When watching the news or the latest episode of Law & Order or criminal minds, you have probably heard the terms of first-degree murder, felony murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter among many others. What are the differences between the types of homicides? For my paper I am going to talk about first-degree murder, felony murder, and manslaughter and they are labeled. The first type of homicide is "first degree murder." First-degree murder is premeditated and planned. Premeditated is the mens-rea of the crime, or the vital intent to commit the crime. "Premeditated" means purposely or knowingly thus “lying in wait for the victim”. The intent of first-degree murder is that murders must have the specific intent to end another’s life. Stated on the criminal find law: “Whether a killer acted with the deliberation and premeditation required for first degree murder can only be determined on a case by case basis. The need for deliberation and premeditation does not mean that the perpetrator must contemplate at length or plan far ahead of the murder.” When someone is being sentenced for first-degree murder are always punished by at least "life in prison," often "life without the possibility of parole," and in some jurisdictions by death by electric chair or lethal injection. Felony murder is the old doctrine adopted by every jurisdiction in the U.S. that if a death results, during the commission of a felony, the execution of a felon is liable to that of first-degree murder. For example, if during a robbery the someone has a heart attack and dies, and the heart attack can be proven to be brought about by the stress of the robbery, then the robber will be accountable for felony murder because a death stemmed during the commission of ... ... middle of paper ... ...cts which crime to charge the defendant with, but then the jury determines whether the defendant was actually guilty of second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter. Whether you watch the news or the latest episode of Law & Order, you have probably heard the terms first-degree murder, felony murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter, among others. But what are the differences between the types of homicides? Homicide can be labeled differently in each state, figuring out how someone died and the manner they died in. The penalty for homicide is imprisonment. The precise term of years depends upon the applicable statute. Usually the sentence that is imposed for voluntary manslaughter is greater than that given for involuntary manslaughter. In most states, a more serious penalty is imposed for criminally negligent manslaughter than for unlawful-act manslaughter.

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