{"id":352081,"date":"2023-11-15T09:21:19","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T14:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/homicide-definition.html"},"modified":"2024-11-13T09:20:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T14:20:00","slug":"homicide-definition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/homicide-definition.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Homicide?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Homicide?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/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\n\n

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Homicide is when one person causes the death of another person, intentionally or unintentionally. The term "homicide" comes from French and Latin roots of homo<\/i> (meaning man) and cida<\/i> (meaning killing). Homicide describes the manner of death. Practically speaking, an intentional killing such as murder and a killing in self-defense are both homicides.   <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

In certain\u00a0cases, a homicide will have a legal justification, such as\u00a0self-defense<\/a>\u00a0or some other reason. In those cases, homicide is not a crime.<\/p>\n

This article discusses types of homicide, criminal and non-criminal. It also addresses when one could face civil liability for a wrongful death.<\/p>\n

If you or a loved one is facing any type of homicide charge, expert legal help is critical. A criminal defense attorney<\/a> in your area can determine whether any legal justifications (like self-defense) apply and develop a tailored defense strategy.<\/p>\n

Types of Homicide<\/h2>\n

Murder and manslaughter are two types of homicide.<\/p>\n

Murder represents a form of\u00a0criminal homicide.\u00a0 The State may pursue a\u00a0murder\u00a0charge for the unlawful taking of a human life. It often involves a specific intent to end the life of a human being or to commit a felony under circumstances where another person’s death results.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Murder is the most serious type of criminal homicide. It carries the most severe penalties, including the death penalty<\/a>. Other forms of criminal homicide demonstrate a reduced level of intent. These include:<\/p>\n