{"id":371590,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-second-degree-murder-law.html"},"modified":"2025-06-13T13:47:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T18:47:03","slug":"arizona-second-degree-murder-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-second-degree-murder-law.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Second-Degree Murder Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Second-Degree Murder Law<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/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

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Arizona second-degree murder, defined under ARS \u00a7 13-1104, occurs when an individual causes death intentionally without premeditation, acts with extreme indifference to human life, or continues an action knowing it may cause death. Unlike first-degree murder, second-degree does not involve premeditation. Conviction can have severe consequences, including a 25-year prison term. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In every state, homicide is the killing of a human being by another human being. Murder occurs when a person kills someone intentionally. Arizona law recognizes two types of intentional homicide: first-degree murder and second-degree murder.<\/p>\r\n

In both first- and second-degree murder, the person commits the crime intending to kill the victim. Second-degree murder differs in that there is no premeditation. This means the defendant did not plan the killing ahead of time.<\/p>\r\n

The state of Arizona has two lesser degrees of homicide, manslaughter and negligent homicide. Prosecutors can upgrade these charges to second-degree murder if circumstances suggest the defendant intended their actions to cause death.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona Second-Degree Murder<\/h2>\r\n

Under Arizona\u2019s second-degree murder statute (ARS \u00a7 13-1104<\/a>), the state can charge you with homicide in one of three circumstances:<\/p>\r\n