{"id":373843,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-first-degree-murder.html"},"modified":"2025-07-28T10:23:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T15:23:08","slug":"maryland-first-degree-murder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-first-degree-murder.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland First-Degree Murder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Maryland First-Degree Murder<\/h1>\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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

Murder in the first degree is one of the most serious crimes in Maryland. According to Maryland law, first-degree murder<\/a> is the intentional killing of another human being by lying in wait, poisoning, or felony murder.<\/p>\r\n

The maximum penalty for murder in the first degree in Maryland previously was death. In May 2013, lawmakers in the state of Maryland abolished the death penalty<\/a>. The maximum current sentence for this crime is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains Maryland\u2019s first-degree murder laws, including the possible penalties and defenses<\/a> to this crime. If you\u2019re facing first-degree murder charges, speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney<\/a> as soon as possible after your arrest is a good idea.<\/p>\r\n

Elements of Murder in the First Degree Under Maryland Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

For the state to secure a murder conviction, it must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. To do this, it must prove every element of the crime of first-degree murder.<\/p>\r\n

Specifically, the prosecutor must prove all the following:<\/p>\r\n