Criminal lawLesson 1 of 4 in the course Homicide and offences against the person

Homicide: Legal Categories, State Killings, and Statistical Measures

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Homicide is a broad term for one person causing the death of another. It describes an outcome, not automatically a crime: the circumstances, the person’s state of mind, and the applicable law all matter.

A homicide occurs when a person causes another person’s death through a volitional act or an omission. An omission is a failure to act where the circumstances and relevant law make the failure significant. The act or omission must cause the death.

All flashcards

What is homicide?
Homicide is an act or legally significant omission by which one person causes the death of another.
Does homicide always require intent to kill?
No. A homicide may result from an accidental, reckless, or negligent act, depending on the facts and applicable law.
How are homicide and murder related?
Homicide is the broad term for causing another person’s death. Murder is one possible criminal classification of a homicide.
What is a justifiable homicide?
It is a killing that may be considered lawful because of the circumstances, such as certain uses of force recognized by law.
Why does context matter when classifying a homicide?
Intent, conduct, causation, justification, and the setting can affect whether a death is lawful and which legal category applies.

Quiz questions

  1. What commonly distinguishes first-degree murder from second-degree murder?Answer: First-degree murder commonly involves premeditation; second-degree murder commonly does not.
  2. Under a felony murder rule, when may a death be treated as murder without an intent to kill?Answer: When it occurs during the commission of certain dangerous felonies, subject to local law.
  3. Which description best fits involuntary manslaughter as commonly used?Answer: An unintended death caused by reckless or negligent conduct.
  4. Which legal frameworks may govern a killing by a state actor?Answer: Domestic law, applicable treaty obligations, and relevant peremptory norms.

Based on the Wikipedia article Homicide, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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