{"id":372281,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-first-degree-murder-law.html"},"modified":"2025-07-17T15:55:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T20:55:05","slug":"district-of-columbia-first-degree-murder-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-first-degree-murder-law.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia First-Degree Murder Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia First-Degree Murder Law<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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

Most states classify murder as first-degree and second-degree. Some states, such as Florida, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, even have third-degree murder. State laws distinguish between these criminal offenses in different ways. The District of Columbia has laws addressing these serious crimes.<\/blockquote>\r\n

In the District of Columbia, the primary difference between first- and second-degree murder<\/a> is that people who commit first-degree murder plan their crime with malice aforethought. The D.C. Code<\/a> also classifies other homicides as first-degree murder, such as the killing of a police officer.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains how Washington, D.C. law defines first-degree murder and examines the penalties and potential defenses<\/a> to this crime.<\/p>\r\n

If the District has accused you of perpetrating a first-degree murder, negligent homicide, or other felony charge, consider contacting an experienced criminal defense lawyer<\/a> sooner rather than later. We’ve also included links to other helpful FindLaw articles on similar subjects at the bottom of this page.<\/p>\r\n

How Does D.C. Law Define First-Degree Murder?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The District of Columbia criminal code defines first-degree murder in three ways. First, a person is guilty of this offense if they commit an intentional killing of another human being with premeditation, deliberation, and malice aforethought.<\/p>\r\n

A person can also be guilty of first-degree murder if they kill someone using poison. While these cases are rare, the D.C. Code specifies this act as constituting murder in the first degree<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The final type of first-degree murder charge in Washington, D.C., is felony murder<\/a>. The state can pursue this charge if somebody dies while the defendant engages in a crime punishable by prison time. A person is guilty of first-degree murder if they kill someone while committing or fleeing from a crime of violence, including:<\/p>\r\n