{"id":352071,"date":"2023-09-08T14:06:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T19:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/first-degree-murder-overview.html"},"modified":"2023-09-08T14:06:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T19:06:41","slug":"first-degree-murder-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/first-degree-murder-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"First Degree Murder Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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First Degree Murder Overview<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Federal and state homicide crimes may use different terminology. Generally, most first-degree murder laws include that the defendant purposefully or willfully, with deliberation and premeditation, caused the death of another person.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

First-degree murder (or aggravated murder) is often defined as an unlawful killing<\/a> that is both willful and premeditated. Think of a murder committed after planning or "lying in wait" for the victim. It represents the highest criminal offense.  The federal government and many states have expanded their definitions of first-degree murder in recent years.<\/p>\r\n

For example, Dan’s employer fires Dan from his job. Dan believes that the firing was unfair. Three days after security escorted him out of the workplace, Dan enters the office and shoots and kills his boss. The police may file a first-degree murder charge against Dan. Dan acted in a willful and premeditated manner.<\/p>\r\n

Convictions result in the harshest sentence. In some states, that means that the offender may face the death penalty. Anyone who faces this charge should begin their legal defense with a skilled criminal law attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Felony Crimes Causing First-Degree Murder <\/h2>\r\n

Most states and the federal government also adhere to a legal concept known as the felony murder rule.<\/a> Under this rule, a person commits first-degree murder if any death (even an accidental one) results from the commission of certain violent felonies<\/p>\r\n

These felonies may include:<\/p>\r\n