Alaska First-Degree Murder
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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In the United States, homicide is typically divided into two main categories: murder and manslaughter. However, both of these categories have further levels of their own. In Alaska, murder is divided into first-degree and second-degree murder. First-degree murder is the most severe homicide charge under Alaska law and consequently carries the strictest penalties.
Alaska First-Degree Murder Statute
The following table outlines the basics of Alaska's first-degree murder law.
Code Section |
AS 11.41.100, Murder in the First Degree |
What is Prohibited? |
A person can be charged with first-degree murder if he or she commits one of the following acts:
A person can be charged with first-degree murder in the acts described in (3) through (5) if he or she is acting alone, or with one or more persons. |
Penalty |
A person who is convicted of first-degree murder can be sentenced to prison for a term between 20 and 99 years. A mandatory 99 year prison term is imposed on a person convicted of first-degree murder in the following instances:
In addition to a prison sentence, a person convicted of first-degree murder can also be fined up to $500,000. |
Defenses |
Generally, the defense to murder depends on the specific facts of the case. In Alaska, defenses to murder are outlined in AS 11.41.115. |
Alaska First-Degree Murder Law: Related Resources
You can visit FindLaw's Criminal Law section for more information and articles regarding this topic. If you or someone close to you is facing a murder charge or any other criminal charges, it's in your best interests to consult with a criminal defense attorney in your area.
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