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Simple English definitions for legal terms
homicide
Read a random definition: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
A quick definition of homicide:
Homicide is when one person causes the death of another person. It can be intentional, like murder, or unintentional, like manslaughter. Murder is when someone plans to kill another person on purpose, while manslaughter is when someone causes a death without intending to. Sometimes, killing someone can be justified, like in self-defense, and this is called justifiable homicide. Felony murder is when someone dies during the commission of a violent crime, even if the defendant did not intend to cause the death. Laws about homicide can vary from place to place and can change over time.
A more thorough explanation:
Homicide is a type of death caused by one person to another. However, not all homicides are considered murder. Some homicides are lawful, while others are considered manslaughter. Murder is when a person intentionally kills another person after planning to do so. Manslaughter is when a person kills another person, but with less culpability. Justifiable homicide may be when a person kills in self-defense or similar circumstances. Felony murder is a type of homicide in which a person dies while the defendant is in the commission of a violent felony, even if they did not cause the death.
- A person intentionally shoots and kills another person. This is considered murder.
- A person accidentally hits and kills another person while driving under the influence. This is considered manslaughter.
- A person kills another person in self-defense. This is considered justifiable homicide.
- A person robs a bank and during the robbery, a security guard shoots and kills one of the robbers. This is considered felony murder.
These examples illustrate the different types of homicide and how they can be classified based on the circumstances surrounding the death. It is important to note that laws regarding homicide vary from state to state and can evolve and change over time.