{"id":374894,"date":"2016-04-11T01:23:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-first-degree-murder.html"},"modified":"2025-07-15T10:44:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T15:44:19","slug":"new-hampshire-first-degree-murder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-first-degree-murder.html","title":{"rendered":"New Hampshire First-Degree Murder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Hampshire 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 any time somebody takes a human life. New Hampshire law recognizes four types of criminal homicide: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide. The New Hampshire criminal code also recognized capital murder<\/a> until 2019, when lawmakers in the state abolished the death penalty.<\/p>\r\n

The most serious of homicide crimes is first-degree murder. First-degree murder involves a person causing the death of another person with intent, premeditation, and malice aforethought.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief outline of New Hampshire’s first-degree murder<\/a> laws, including the penalties and defenses to this crime. If you\u2019re facing first-degree murder charges, contacting an experienced criminal law attorney<\/a> should be one of the first things you do.<\/p>\r\n

New Hampshire Follows the Felony Murder Rule<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In New Hampshire, the state can charge a person with felony murder if they kill someone during the commission of, attempt to commit, or the flight from a dangerous felony. Felony murder<\/a> qualifies as first-degree murder in New Hampshire and carries the same penalties as any first-degree homicide.<\/p>\r\n

The following criminal offenses qualify as dangerous and violent crimes for felony-murder purposes:<\/p>\r\n