If you or anyone you know has been accused of a homicide, it is a very serious matter. Anyone involved in a murder should seek the advice of an experienced attorney immediately.

What Are Homicide Charges?

Homicide is the taking of another human beings life. The classifications vary from state to state, but in general, there are three classes of homicide.

Murder

There are several sub-categories of murder as well. Some states will apply the labels differently.

First-Degree Murder

This category of murder is the worst kind and the most serious of all possible homicide charges. First-degree murder means the perpetrator planned the crime with evil intent, and with forethought. These are heinous crimes and get the stiffest possible sentences. Life in prison and the death are common sentences for first-degree murder.

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is when there is intent to kill someone, but the perpetrator did not plan it. For example, if a husband walks in on his wife with another man and kills her lover, this is considered a “crime of passion” and second-degree murder. He meant to kill him, but had no idea it was going to happen. Wanton acts of recklessness, for example, driving a car into a crowd, are considered second-degree murder. Second-degree murder can also get severe punishments including life in prison.

Manslaughter

Crimes in which the perpetrator had no intention of killing anyone and did not plan anything ahead of time. These are usually accidents of some kind where a person dies. Events like these can include car accidents and drunk driving accidents. Manslaughter also applies to instances where a doctor prescribes the wrong medication and a patient dies, or when a parent leaves a baby in a hot car. These tragedies usually have lesser sentences than first or second-degree murder.

Justifiable Homicide

Another category of homicide is justifiable. This classification describes a situation when someone kills another person in self-defense. It is also justifiable homicide if you kill someone in defense of someone else. There are no criminal charges associated with this classification.

Defense for Homicide Charges

There are several types of defenses for homicide, depending on the charge.

First-Degree Murder Defenses

The defense for first-degree murder says that either the defendant did not commit the crime, or that they committed the crime but it was not first-degree murder. They may argue that the prosecution cannot prove there was premeditation, and that the defendant killed willfully and deliberately.

If a defendant admits to the killing, they have to prove it was justified or that they were not legally liable for the crime because they were somehow incapacitated.

Insanity Defense

Insanity means the defendant was unable to appreciate the quality of the act that occurred. It also says the defendant did not know the action was wrong. States have different rules regarding the insanity defense, but most recognize insanity as a defense against first-degree murder.

Self-Defense

Self-defense applies when there is no intent to kill. The person acted because of the direct threat of bodily harm to him or herself and others. Several factors must be valid for a murder to qualify as self-defense. The same requirements typically apply to defense of others.

• The defendant must not have instigated the threatening situation.
• There was a reasonable fear of death or bodily harm.
• The killing resulted from a reasonable use of force.
• The defendant didn’t retreat from the danger, then come back and use deadly force.

Exercise of Duty

Lawyers use this defense when a murder is committed in the line of duty. It applies to law enforcement officials and other public officials who kill someone without unlawful intent. An exercise of duty killing is not considered murder.

Second-Degree Murder Defenses

Both the insanity and self-defense pleas above also apply to second-degree murder. Second-degree murder also has a few other defenses.

Actual Innocence

This defense is mostly a not-guilty plea. It says that the perpetrator did not commit the crime.  The defendant might have an alibi, or prove the prosecution cannot prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Intoxication

A defendant can plead that they were too intoxicated to know what they were doing. There are two types of intoxication, voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary intoxication is when you willfully become drunk, for example, going out to a bar with friends. This is not a valid defense in normal cases. Involuntary intoxication is when you don’t intend on becoming intoxicated. This scenario occurs when the defendant has been drugged by someone else and can relieve a defendant of responsibility for a crime.

No matter what type of homicide someone is involved in, or accused of, getting the proper legal representation is imperative. It is a very serious crime, no matter what the classification. Homicide charges can result in life in prison or the death sentence. Know all the facts and call an attorney immediately.