{"id":372401,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/delaware-law\/delaware-first-degree-murder.html"},"modified":"2025-08-12T13:10:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T18:10:10","slug":"delaware-first-degree-murder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/delaware-law\/delaware-first-degree-murder.html","title":{"rendered":"Delaware First-Degree Murder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Delaware First-Degree Murder<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, 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

A homicide occurs anytime somebody takes the life of another person. The most severe type of homicide<\/a>, according to the Delaware Code, is first-degree murder<\/a>. This crime carries the most severe penalties as well, including a sentence of life in prison.<\/p>\r\n

In general, first-degree murder is the intentional and premeditated killing of another person with malice aforethought. The state must show that the defendant planned the killing and intended to kill the victim.<\/p>\r\n

In Delaware, the classification of offenses under the crime of homicide includes the following:<\/p>\r\n