Legal Definitions - homicide

Homicide is a type of death caused by one person to another. However, not all homicides are considered murder. Some homicides are lawful, while others are considered manslaughter. Murder is when a person intentionally kills another person after planning to do so. Manslaughter is when a person kills another person, but with less culpability. Justifiable homicide may be when a person kills in self-defense or similar circumstances. Felony murder is a type of homicide in which a person dies while the defendant is in the commission of a violent felony, even if they did not cause the death.

• A person intentionally shoots and kills another person. This is considered murder.
• A person accidentally hits and kills another person while driving under the influence. This is considered manslaughter.
• A person kills another person in self-defense. This is considered justifiable homicide.
• A person robs a bank and during the robbery, a security guard shoots and kills one of the robbers. This is considered felony murder.

These examples illustrate the different types of homicide and how they can be classified based on the circumstances surrounding the death. It is important to note that laws regarding homicide vary from state to state and can evolve and change over time.