{"id":371786,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-first-degree-murder-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-13T15:29:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T20:29:10","slug":"california-first-degree-murder-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-first-degree-murder-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California First Degree Murder Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California First Degree Murder Laws<\/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

First-degree murder, as defined under California Penal Code \u00a7 187, requires proof of malice aforethought, meaning the defendant intended to kill or acted with a reckless disregard for human life. Convictions can lead to severe penalties such as life without parole or the death penalty.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In California, homicide is the killing of a human being by another human being. Homicide includes any justifiable killing, such as killing in self-defense and killing by a police officer in the line of duty. The unlawful killing of a human being can be charged as murder or manslaughter, depending on the intention of the defendant.<\/p>\r\n

In the state of California, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant in a first-degree murder case had \u201cmalice aforethought.\u201d This means the defendant intended to kill the victim or displayed a conscious disregard for human life. First-degree murder also requires the defendant to commit the crime under certain conditions.<\/p>\r\n

Other types of murder in California include:<\/p>\r\n