Legal Definitions - homicidium

Definition: Homicidium (hom-si-dee-um) is a Latin term that means homicide, which is the killing of one person by another. There are different types of homicidium:

• Homicidium ex casu: This is homicide by accident.
• Homicidium ex justitia: This is homicide in the administration of justice, or in the carrying out of a legal sentence.
• Homicidium ex necessitate: This is homicide from inevitable necessity, such as for the protection of one's person or property.
• Homicidium ex voluntate: This is voluntary or willful homicide, which is also known as criminal homicide.
• Homicidium in rixa: This is homicide committed in the course of a brawl.

For example, if someone accidentally hits another person with their car and kills them, it is considered homicidium ex casu. If a police officer kills a criminal in the line of duty, it is considered homicidium ex justitia. If someone kills another person in self-defense, it is considered homicidium ex necessitate. If someone intentionally kills another person, it is considered homicidium ex voluntate or criminal homicide. If someone kills another person during a fight, it is considered homicidium in rixa.