What Does 'Homicide' Mean?

Homicide is the killing of another human being. The term can refer to both criminal and non-criminal acts, and there are many different types of homicide. Some common examples include murder, manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Homicide is a very serious crime, and those who commit it can face harsh penalties, including prison time or even the death penalty in some cases.

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If you have been accused of homicide, it's important to understand the different types of homicide and what your legal options are. Contacting a qualified criminal defense attorney is a wise first step.

Legal Definition of Homicide

Homicide is a term used to describe the killing of another person, either intentionally or negligently. It can refer to both murder and manslaughter, and can have different meanings in different countries. In most cases, homicide refers to the unlawful taking of a life, but other factors may be taken into account, such as premeditation or provocation. The precise definition of homicide will vary depending on the jurisdiction it took place in, so it is always necessary to examine each case individually.

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Different Types of Homicide

Homicide is broadly divided into two categories based on what the motivation for the act was, i.e., voluntary and involuntary. “Voluntary” murders include incidents in which an individual has deliberately taken someone else's life in what they consider to be self-defense, revenge or punishment. “Involuntary” murders include accidental killings due to negligence or recklessness on the part of the perpetrator.

Other considerations in homicide cases include conspiracy to commit murder, as well as provocation and premeditation. Depending on which type of crime was committed, legal consequences vary in severity across different jurisdictions.

Penalties for Homicide

Depending on the circumstances, penalties for homicide vary greatly, but generally include significant jail time with potential life sentences if convicted of first-degree murder. Long-term imprisonment is a possible penalty for premeditated or felony murder, while manslaughter charges could result in shorter sentences. Homicide cases can be complex to evaluate, since there is often mitigating evidence that requires assessing intent, motive and other factors before determining what constitutes a fair penalty for the accused.

Murder Vs. Manslaughter

Murder and manslaughter are two distinct types of homicide. Merriam-Webster defines murder as the “crime of unlawfully killing a person, especially with malice aforethought (or premeditated),” whereas manslaughter is defined as “the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice.”

Intent is the distinguishing factor between murder and manslaughter, both being classified as homicides under criminal law. For a murder charge to be successful, it must be proven that the accused knowingly and deliberately caused another person's death with malicious intent. However, in cases of manslaughter, it must be proven that there was negligence for the safety of another person and that the negligence resulted in the victim’s death. Punishments handed down vary depending on the measure of intent determined to have been involved in each case.

How the Law Treats Self-Defense in Homicide Cases

In homicide cases, self-defense can be a viable legal argument for criminal defendants to consider. In certain circumstances, it may be the only defense available against a charge of murder or manslaughter.

According to Cornell Law School, self-defense is “the use of force to protect oneself from an attempted injury by another. If justified, self-defense is a defense to a number of crimes and torts involving force, including murder, assault and battery.” What qualifies as self-defense — whether an individual acted properly in response to being attacked or the perceived threat of attack — depends on the specific circumstances of the incident and whether the defendant was genuinely in fear for their life when defending themselves.

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What to Do If You're Charged With Homicide

If you have been charged with homicide, the best thing to do is to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to review all of the legal evidence and witness testimony related to your case and advise you on the most effective defense strategies. Securing a qualified lawyer will be critical in making sure that your rights are fully protected throughout the criminal proceedings.

This article was conceived, edited, vetted and cited by eLocal Editorial staff, and produced using artificial intelligence sources.