{"id":352170,"date":"2024-01-30T15:05:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T20:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/third-degree-murder-overview.html"},"modified":"2024-01-30T15:05:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T20:05:50","slug":"third-degree-murder-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/third-degree-murder-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Third Degree Murder Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Third Degree Murder Overview<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, 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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Third-degree murder is a type of homicide charge used only in Florida, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. It differs from first and second-degree murder, which usually require intent or premeditation. It also differs from manslaughter, which involves less culpability. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A court of law may find someone guilty of third-degree murder if they intentionally caused someone else’s death while committing a dangerous act. This is different from\u00a0first-degree<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0second-degree<\/a>\u00a0murder charges, which generally require\u00a0intent.<\/a>\u00a0Some criminal statutes refer to intent as “malice aforethought.”<\/p>\n

Only three states have third-degree murder laws:<\/p>\n