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SECOND-DEGREE MURDER

TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.

A homicide crime that is the result of (a) dangerous conduct or a (b) intentional but not premeditated killing nor one committed in the heat of passion. It is more severe than manslaughter.

Related Legal Terms & Definitions
  • MANSLAUGHTER In criminal law. The unlawful killing of another without malice, either express or implied; which…
  • SECOND DEGREE MURDER Unpremeditated killing as a result of conduct where the death of the victim was likely.…
  • VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER The intentional killing of another, without premeditation, such as in the heat of passion.
  • HEAT OF PASSION An act done in a moment of passion, without the ability to reflect properly on…
  • CRIME OF PASSION A crime committed in the heat of the moment; where the situation understandably causes such…
  • SUDDEN HEAT OF PASSION In the common law definition of manslaughter, this phrase means an access of rage or…
  • MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE The intentional killing of a person with premeditated intent to cause and inflict harm and…
  • PREMEDITATED MURDER Intentional murder that was planned in advance of the actual act of killing the victim.

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