Murder in United States law

{{Short description|None}} {{Use American English|date=April 2017}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}

In the United States, the law for '''murder''' varies by jurisdiction. In many US jurisdictions there is a hierarchy of acts, known collectively as homicide, of which first-degree murder and felony murder<ref>{{Cite book |last=Binder |first=Guyora |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_KHNXJg47b8C&q=felony+murder |title=Felony Murder |date=2012-05-09 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-8170-1 |language=en}}</ref> are the most serious, followed by second-degree murder and, in a few states, third-degree murder, which in other states is divided into voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter such as reckless homicide and negligent homicide, which are the least serious, and ending finally in justifiable homicide, which is not a crime. However, because there are at least 52 relevant jurisdictions, each with its own criminal code, this is a considerable simplification.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistical Abstract of the United States|url=https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2006/compendia/statab/126ed.html|website=U.S. Census Bureau|publisher=Government Printing Office|access-date=10 September 2017|page=187}}</ref>

Sentencing varies widely depending upon the specific murder charge. "Life imprisonment" is a common penalty for first-degree murder, but its meaning varies widely.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=Thomas H.|last2=Reaves|first2=Bryan A.|title=Felony Defendants in Large Urban Counties, 2002|url=https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=896|website=Bureau of Justice Statistics|publisher=U.S. Department of Justice|access-date=10 September 2017|date=1 February 2006}}</ref> Capital punishment is a legal sentence in 27 states,<ref name="Maryland">{{cite news|last=Bosman|first=Julie|title=Nebraska Bans Death Penalty, Defying a Veto|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/us/nebraska-abolishes-death-penalty.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=27 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/state-and-federal-info/state-by-state|title=State by State}}</ref> and in the federal civilian and military legal systems, though eight of these states have indefinitely suspended the practice. The United States is unusual in actually performing executions,<ref name="amnesty.org.uk">{{cite web|title=Death Sentences and Executions 2013|url=https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/amnesty_death_penalty_report_2014_final.pdf|website=Amnesty International|access-date=10 September 2017|date=2014}}</ref> with 34 states having performed executions since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976. The methods of execution have varied, but the most common method since 1976 has been lethal injection.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions-year|title= Executions by year since 1976|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= June 4, 2015|website= Death Penalty Information Center|access-date= July 3, 2015}}</ref> In 2019 a total of 22 people were executed,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/2019|title = 2019}}</ref> and 2,652 people were on death row.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/dpic-reports/dpic-year-end-reports/the-death-penalty-in-2019-year-end-report | title=The Death Penalty in 2019: Year End Report }}</ref> The federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act, enacted in 2004 and codified at 18 U.S. Code § 1841,<ref name="USC1841">{{cite web|title=18 U.S. Code § 1841 – Protection of unborn children|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1841|website=Legal Information Institute|publisher=Cornell Law School|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> allows for a fetus to be treated as a victim in a crime. Subsection (c) of that statute specifically prohibits prosecutions related to consented abortions and medical treatments.<ref name="USC1841" />

==Jurisdiction== If murder is committed within the borders of a state, that state has jurisdiction, and in a similar way, if the crime is committed in the District of Columbia, the D.C. Superior Court (the equivalent of a state court in the District) retains jurisdiction, though in some cases involving U.S. government property or personnel, the federal courts may have exclusive jurisdiction.<ref>See generally, {{cite web|title=U.S. Code: Title 18 – Crimes and Criminal Procedure|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18|website=Legal Information Institute|publisher=Cornell Law School|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> If the victim is a federal official, an ambassador, consul, or other foreign official under the protection of the United States, or if the crime took place on federal property or involved crossing state borders, or in a manner that substantially affects interstate commerce or national security, then the federal government also has jurisdiction. If a crime is not committed within any state, then federal jurisdiction is exclusive, for example vessels of the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Merchant Marine in international waters and U.S. military bases worldwide. Recently, the Supreme Court, in the McGirt decision, reaffirmed that major crimes within the reservation boundaries of Native American tribes, for which a tribal member is suspected, must be investigated and prosecuted by the federal, not state, government. Federal penalties will apply if found guilty.

In addition, murder by a member of the United States Armed Forces of a prisoner while under custody of the United States Armed Forces is in violation of Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and can result in the perpetrator being tried by a general court-martial, subjecting to certain types of jurisdictions within its own borders or with foreign nations. Jurisdiction over the crime of murder can be complex as a result of the principle of "dual sovereignty" that is part of federalism. In cases where a murder involves both state and federal jurisdiction, the offender can be tried and punished separately for each crime without raising issues of double jeopardy, unless the court believes that the new prosecution is merely a "sham" forwarded by the prior prosecutor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Koon v. United States, 518 US 81, 116 S. Ct. 2035, 135 L. Ed. 2d 392 (1996)|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=12672163210584794945|website=Google Scholar|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> In the United States there is no statute of limitations on the crime of murder.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Siegel|first1=Larry J.|title=Criminology: The Core|date=2014|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=978-1285068909|page=268|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4coTCgAAQBAJ|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref>

== Degrees == The first division of the general crime of murder into graded subcategories (first degree is worst) was enacted into the law of Pennsylvania in 1794.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brenner|first=Frank|year=1953|title=The Impulsive Murder and the Degree Device|url=https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1427&context=flr|journal=Fordham Law Review|volume=22|issue=3|page=274|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> This enactment is often explained in terms of a desire to narrow the scope of application of capital punishment in that state and in the other states which subsequently graded murder into "first" and "second" degrees. The English common law, which had been received into the laws of the U.S. states, at the time applied capital punishment to a large number of crimes; as a result, states statutorily divided the crime of murder into first and second degrees, and began applying capital punishment only to criminals convicted of first-degree murder.<ref>{{harvnb|Brenner|1953|p=275}}</ref> By 1953, three states—namely Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin—had further created the subcategory of third-degree murder.<ref name="Brenner 1953 2783">{{harvnb|Brenner|1953|p=278}}</ref> States have adopted several different systems for classifying murders by degree. The most common separates murder into two degrees (first- and second-degree murder), and treats voluntary and involuntary manslaughter as separate crimes that do not constitute murder, instead of third-degree murder.

; First-degree murder : Any intentional killing that is willful and premeditated with malice aforethought. Felony murder, a charge that may be filed against a defendant who is involved in a dangerous crime where a death results from the crime, is typically first-degree, but may also be second-degree.<ref>{{cite web|title=First Degree Murder Overview|url=http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/first-degree-murder-overview.html|website=FindLaw|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> ; Second-degree murder : Any intentional killing that is not premeditated or planned. A situation in which the killer intends only to inflict serious bodily harm, knowing this could result in death but with no specific intent to kill, constitutes depraved-heart murder, which can be considered as second-degree murder. ; Voluntary manslaughter : Sometimes called a crime of passion murder and informally called third-degree murder, this is any intentional killing that involves no prior intent to kill and which was committed under such circumstances that would "cause a reasonable person to become emotionally or mentally disturbed". Both this and second-degree murder are committed on the spot under a spur-of-the-moment choice, but the two differ in the magnitude of the circumstances surrounding the crime. For example, a bar fight that results in death would ordinarily constitute second-degree murder. If that same bar fight stemmed from a discovery of infidelity, however, it may be voluntary manslaughter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Voluntary Manslaughter: Definition|url=http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/voluntary-manslaughter-overview.html|website=FindLaw|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> ; Involuntary manslaughter : A killing that stems from a lack of intention to cause death but involving an intentional act of negligence, which may or may not be premeditated, leading to death. A drunk driving-related death is typically involuntary manslaughter (see also vehicular homicide, causing death by dangerous driving, gross negligence manslaughter, and causing death by criminal negligence for international equivalents). Note that the "unintentional" element here refers to the lack of intent to bring about the death. The crimes of first degree murder, second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter mentioned above feature an intent to kill, whereas involuntary manslaughter is "unintentional", because the killer did not intend for a death to result from their intentional actions.<ref name="Involuntary Manslaughter doesn't require intent">{{cite web |last1=Devendorf, Esq. |first1=John |title=Murder v. Manslaughter |url=https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/criminal-defense/murders-and-manslaughters.html |website=Criminal Defense Law |publisher=LawInfo |access-date=5 March 2025 |date=12 November 2024}}</ref> If there is a presence of intention it relates only to the intent to cause a violent act which brings about the death, but not an intention to bring about the death itself.<ref>{{cite web|title=Involuntary Manslaughter Overview|url=http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/involuntary-manslaughter-overview.html|website=FindLaw|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> However, there are exceptions, such as felony murder and depraved-heart murder, the latter of which can be considered as voluntary manslaughter or second-degree murder, instead of involuntary manslaughter, despite the lack of explicit intention to kill.

The Model Penal Code classifies homicides differently, without degrees. Under it, murder is any killing committed purposely and knowingly, even if it is a crime of passion murder without malice aforethought, manslaughter is any killing committed as a result of recklessness (also known as depraved-heart murder), and negligent homicide is any killing resulting from negligence.<ref>{{cite book|title=Criminal Law|chapter=9.2 Murder |date=2015|publisher=M Libraries Publishing|location=Minnesota|isbn=9781946135087|url=http://open.lib.umn.edu/criminallaw/chapter/9-2-murder/|access-date=10 September 2017}} Sec. 9.2, Murder.</ref> Some states classify murders differently. In Pennsylvania, first-degree murder encompasses premeditated murders, second-degree murder encompasses accomplice liability, and third-degree serves as a catch-all for other murders. In New York, first-degree murder involves "special circumstances", such as the murder of a police officer or witness to a crime, multiple murders, or murders involving torture.<ref>See, e.g., {{cite web|title=New York Penal Code, Sec. § 125.27 Murder in the first-degree.|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/125.27|newspaper=NY State Senate|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> Under this system, second-degree murder is any other premeditated murder.<ref>See, e.g., {{cite web|title=New York Penal Code, Sec. § 125.25 Murder in the second-degree.|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/125.25|website=New York State Senate|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> The New York statutes also recognize "murder for hire" as first-degree murder. Texas uses a scheme similar to New York's, but refers to first-degree murder as "capital murder", a term which typically applies only to those crimes that merit the death penalty. Some states, such as Florida, do not separate the two kinds of manslaughter.

{|class="wikitable sortable" width="100%" style="text-align:center;" |+ Degrees of murder in U.S. states and territories ! Jurisdiction!!1st&nbsp;degree!!2nd&nbsp;degree!!3rd&nbsp;degree!!class=unsortable|Other named categories!!class=unsortable|Source |- ! style=text-align:left;| {{sort|0|Federal}} | Yes | Yes | No | No | <ref>{{USCSub|18|1111|a}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Alabama | No | No |yes | Murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-13a-criminal-code/al-code-sect-13a-6-2.html AL Code § 13A-6-2.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-13a-criminal-code/|title=Alabama Code Title 13A (Criminal Code), Chapter 6 (Offences Involving Danger to the Person), Article 1 (Homicide)|website=findlaw.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Alaska | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-11-criminal-law/ak-st-sect-11-41-100.html AK Statutes § 11.41.100. Murder in the first degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-11-criminal-law/ak-st-sect-11-41-110.html AK Statutes § 11.41.110. Murder in the second degree.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-11-criminal-law/|title=Alaska Statutes Title 11 (Criminal Law), Chapter 41 (Offenses Against the Person), Article 1 (Homicide)|website=findlaw.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://statelaws.findlaw.com/alaska-law/alaska-manslaughter-laws.html|title=Alaska Manslaughter Laws|website=findlaw.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| American Samoa | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7320:46.3502-Murder-in-the-1st-degree.&catid=749&Itemid=172 AS Code § 46.3502. Murder in the 1st degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7321:46.3503-Murder-in-the-2nd-degree.&catid=749&Itemid=172 AS Code § 46.3503. Murder in the 2nd degree.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=749&Itemid=172|title=American Samoa Code Annotated, Title 46 (Criminal Justice), Chapter 35 (Offenses Against the Person)|publisher=American Samoa Bar Association|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Arizona | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/01105.htm AZ Rev Stat § 13-1105. First-degree murder. Classification.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/01104.htm AZ Rev Stat § 13-1104. Second-degree murder. Classification.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=13|title=Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13 (Criminal Code), Chapter 11 (Homicide)|publisher=Arizona State Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Arkansas | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2015/title-5/subtitle-2/chapter-10/section-5-10-102/index.html AR Code § 5-10-102. Murder in the first degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2015/title-5/subtitle-2/chapter-10/section-5-10-103/index.html AR Code § 5-10-103. Murder in the second degree.]</ref> | No | Capital murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2015/title-5/subtitle-2/chapter-10/section-5-10-101/index.html AR Code § 5-10-103. Capital murder.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2015/title-5/subtitle-2/chapter-10/|title=Arkansas Code Title 5 (Criminal Offenses), Subtitle 2 (Offenses Against The Person), Chapter 10 (Homicide)|year=2015|website=justia.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| California | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="California">[http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=189&lawCode=PEN CA Penal Code § 189.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="California"/> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=8.&part=1.&chapter=1.&article=|title=California Penal Code, Part 1 (Of Crimes and Punishments), Title 8 (Offenses Against the Person), Chapter 1 (Homicide)|publisher=California State Assembly|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://statelaws.findlaw.com/california-law/california-first-degree-murder-laws.html|title=California First Degree Murder Law|website=findlaw.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Colorado | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">CO Rev Stat § 18-3-102. Murder in the first degree.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">CO Rev Stat § 18-3-103. Murder in the second degree.</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2017-title-18.pdf#page=204|title=Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 18 (Criminal Code), Article 3 (Offenses Against the Person), Part 1 (Homicide and Related Offenses)|publisher=Colorado General Assembly|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313040915/https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2017-title-18.pdf|archive-date=2018-03-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Connecticut | No | No | No | Murder,<ref group="lower-alpha">CT Gen Stat § 53a-54a. Murder.</ref> Murder with special circumstances,<ref group="lower-alpha">CT Gen Stat § 53a-54b. Murder with special circumstances.</ref> Felony murder,<ref group="lower-alpha">CT Gen Stat § 53a-54c. Felony murder.</ref> Arson murder<ref group="lower-alpha">CT Gen Stat § 53a-54d. Arson murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm|title=Connecticut General Statutes, Title 53a (Penal Code), Chapter 952 (Penal Code: Offenses), Part VI (Homicide)|publisher=Connecticut General Assembly|year=2012|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Delaware | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">DE Code § 634 Murder by abuse or neglect in the first degree; class A felony; § 636 Murder in the first degree; class A felony.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">DE Code § 633 Murder by abuse or neglect in the second degree; class B felony; § 635 Murder in the second degree; class A felony.</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://delcode.delaware.gov/title11/c005/sc02/index.html|title=Delaware Code, Title 11 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure), Chapter 5 (Specific Offenses), Subchapter II (Offenses Against the Person), Part B (Acts Causing Death)|publisher=State of Delaware|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| District of Columbia | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">DC Code § 22–2101. Murder in the first degree — Purposeful killing; killing while perpetrating certain crimes; § 22–2102. Murder in the first degree — Placing obstructions upon or displacement of railroads.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">DC Code § 22–2103. Murder in the second degree.</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/22/chapters/21/|title=Code of the District of Columbia, Title 22 (Criminal Offenses and Penalties), Chapter 21 (Murder; Manslaughter)|publisher=Council of the District of Columbia|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Florida | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">FL Statutes § 782.04(1)(a)</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">FL Statutes § 782.04(2)</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">FL Statutes § 782.04(4)</ref> | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0782/0782ContentsIndex.html&StatuteYear=2017&Title=%2D%3E2017%2D%3EChapter%20782|title=Florida Statutes 2017, Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 782 (Homicide)|publisher=Florida Legislature|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Georgia | No | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">GA Code § 16-5-1. Murder in the second degree</ref> | No | Murder, Felony murder<ref group="lower-alpha">GA Code § 16-5-1. Murder; felony murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2020/title-16/chapter-5/article-1/|title=Georgia Code, Title 16 (Crimes and Offenses), Chapter 5 (Crimes Against the Person), Article 1 (Homicide)|website=justia.com|year=2020|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Guam | No | No | No | Murder,<ref group="lower-alpha">GU Code § 16.40. Murder Defined.</ref> Aggravated murder<ref group="lower-alpha">GU Code § 16.30. Aggravated Murder Defined.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guamcourts.org/CompilerofLaws/GCA/09gca/9gc016.PDF|title=Guam Code Annotated, Title 9 (Crimes & Corrections), Chapter 16 (Criminal Homicide)|publisher=Supreme Court of Guam|date=2017-12-15|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Hawaii | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">HI Rev Stat § 707-701. Murder in the first degree.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">HI Rev Stat § 707-701.5. Murder in the second degree.</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0707/HRS_0707-.htm|title=Hawaii Revised Statutes, Division 5 (Crimes and Criminal Proceedings), Title 37 (Hawaii Penal Code), Chapter 707 (Offenses Against the Person), Part II (Criminal Homicide)|publisher=State of Hawaii|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Idaho | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="IdahoDegrees">ID Statutes § 18-4003. Degrees of murder.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="IdahoDegrees"/> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title18/T18CH40/|title=Idaho Statutes, Title 18 (Crimes and Punishments), Chapter 40 (Homicide)|publisher=Idaho State Legislature|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Illinois | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">Sec. 9-1. First-degree Murder - Death penalties – Exceptions – Separate Hearings – Proof – Findings – Appellate procedures – Reversals.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">Sec. 9-2. Second-degree murder.</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+9&ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=11200000&SeqEnd=12400000|title=(720 ILCS 5/) Criminal Code of 2012, Title III (Specific Offenses), Part B (Offenses Directed Against the Person), Article 9 (Homicide)|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|year=2012|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Indiana | No | No | No | Murder<ref group="lower-alpha">IN Code § 35-42-1-1. Murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2017/ic/titles/035#35-42-1|title=Indiana Code, Title 35 (Criminal Law and Procedure), Article 42 (Offenses Against the Person), Chapter 1 (Homicide)|publisher=Indiana General Assembly|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Iowa | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">IA Code § 707.2. Murder in the first degree.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">IA Code § 707.3. Murder in the second degree.</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=707&year=2018|title=Iowa Code 2018, Title XVI (Criminal Law and Procedure), Chapter 707 (Homicide and Related Crimes)|publisher=Iowa Legislature|year=2018|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Kansas | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">KS Stat §21-5402. Murder in the first degree.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">KS Statutes §21-5401. Murder in the second degree.</ref> | No | Capital murder<ref group="lower-alpha">KS Stat §21-5401. Capital murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://kslegislature.org/li_2014/b2013_14/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_054_0000_article/|title=Kansas Statutes, Chapter 21 (Crimes and Punishments), Article 54 (Crimes Against Persons)|publisher=Kansas Legislature|year=2014|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Kentucky | No | No | No | Murder<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Kentucky">KY Rev Stat § 507.020 (2017). Murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/kentucky/2017/chapter-507/|title=2017 Kentucky Code, Title L (Kentucky Penal Code), Chapter 507 (Criminal Homicide)|website=justia.com|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Louisiana | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=78397 LA Rev Stat § 30. First degree murder.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=78398 LA Rev Stat § 30.1. Second degree murder.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=78395|title=Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 14 (Criminal Law), Part II (Offenses Against the Person), Subpart A (Homicide)|publisher=Louisiana State Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Maine | No | No | No | Murder,<ref group="lower-alpha">17-A ME Rev Stat §201. Murder.</ref> Felony murder<ref group="lower-alpha">17-A ME Rev Stat §202. Felony murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/17-A/title17-Ach9sec0.html|title=Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A (Maine Criminal Code), Chapter 9 (Offenses Against the Person)|publisher=Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Maryland | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">MD Code § 2-201. Murder in the first degree</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">MD Code § 2-204. Murder in the second degree (Amendment effective October 1, 2017.)</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2016/criminal-law/title-2/subtitle-2/|title=2016 Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Title 2 (Homicide), Subtitle 2 (Murder and Manslaughter)|website=justia.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section1|title=Massachusetts General Laws, Part IV (Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases), Title I (Crimes and Punishments), Chapter 265 (Crimes Against the Person), Section 1 (Murder Defined)|publisher=Massachusetts General Court|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Michigan | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(yetobfkbpiuymf1ks05d2tmr))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-750-316 MI Compiled Laws § 750.316 First degree murder; penalty; definitions.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(yetobfkbpiuymf1ks05d2tmr))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-750-317 MI Compiled Laws § 750.317 Second degree murder; penalty.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(yetobfkbpiuymf1ks05d2tmr))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-328-1931-XLV|title=Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 750 (Michigan Penal Code), Chapter XLV (Homicide)|publisher=Michigan Legislature|year=2016|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Minnesota | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.185 MN Statutes § 609.185. Murder in the first degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.19 MN Statutes § 609.19 Murder in the second degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.195 MN Statutes § 609.195 Murder in the third degree.]</ref> | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609|title=2017 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609 (Criminal Code)|publisher=Office of the Revisor of Statutes|location=Minnesota|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Mississippi | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/2016/title-97/chapter-3/section-97-3-19/ MS Code § 97-3-19(1)(a), (1)(c), (1)(d)].</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">MS Code § 97-3-19(1)(b).</ref> | No | Capital murder<ref group="lower-alpha">MS Code § 97-3-19(2).</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/2016/title-97/chapter-3/|title=2016 Mississippi Code, Title 97 (Crimes), Chapter 3 (Crimes Against the Person)|website=justia.com|year=2016|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Missouri | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.020&bid=33575&hl= MO Rev Stat § 565.020 (2016). First degree murder, penalty — person under eighteen years of age, penalty.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.021&bid=29265&hl= MO Rev Stat § 565.021 (2016). Second degree murder, penalty.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=565|title=Missouri Revised Statutes, Title XXXVII (Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders), Chapter 565 (Offenses Against the Person)|publisher=Revisor of Statutes, State of Missouri|date=2016-08-28|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Montana | No | No | No | Deliberate homicide,<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0020/0450-0050-0010-0020.html MT Code § 45-5-102 (2017). Deliberate homicide.]</ref> Mitigated deliberate homicide<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0030/0450-0050-0010-0030.html MT Code § 45-5-103 (2017). Mitigated deliberate homicide.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0010/sections_index.html|title=Montana Code Annotated 2017, Title 45 (Crimes), Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Person), Part 1 (Homicide)|publisher=Montana Legislature|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://statelaws.findlaw.com/montana-law/montana-murder-law.html|title=Montana Murder Law|website=findlaw.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Nebraska | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/nebraska/2017/chapter-28/statute-28-303/ NE Rev Stat § 28-303 (2017). Murder in the first degree; penalty.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/nebraska/2017/chapter-28/statute-28-304/ NE Rev Stat § 28-304 (2017). Murder in the second degree; penalty.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/nebraska/2017/chapter-28/|title=2017 Nebraska Revised Statutes, Chapter 28 (Crimes and Punishments)|website=justia.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Nevada | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Nevada">[https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-200.html#NRS200Sec030 NV Rev Stat § 200.030. Degrees of murder; penalties.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Nevada"/> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Nrs/NRS-200.html|title=Nevada Revised Statutes, Title 15 (Crimes and Punishments), Chapter 200 (Crimes Against the Person), Part 1 (Homicide)|publisher=Nevada State Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| New Hampshire | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LXII/630/630-1.htm NH Statutes § 630:1-a. First Degree Murder.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LXII/630/630-1-b.htm NH Statutes § 630:1-b. Second Degree Murder.]</ref> | No | Capital murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LXII/630/630-1.htm NH Statutes § 630:1. Capital Murder.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LXII/630/630-mrg.htm|title=New Hampshire Statutes, Title LXII (Criminal Code), Chapter 630 (Homicide)|publisher=New Hampshire General Court|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| New Jersey | No | No | No | Murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://njlaw.rutgers.edu/collections/njstats/showsect.php?title=2c&chapter=11&section=3&actn=getsect NJ Statutes § 2C:11-3. Murder.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://njlaw.rutgers.edu/collections/njstats/showsections.php?title=2c&chapt=11|title=New Jersey Statutes, Title 2A (The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice), Chapter 11|publisher=Rutgers School of Law|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://statelaws.findlaw.com/new-jersey-law/new-jerseys-first-degree-murder-law.html|title=New Jersey Murder Law|website=findlaw.com|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| New Mexico | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2016/chapter-30/article-2/section-30-2-1/ NM Statutes § 30-2-1(A).]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">NM Statutes § 30-2-1(B).</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2016/chapter-30/article-2/|title=2016 New Mexico Statutes, Chapter 30 (Criminal Offenses), Article 2 (Homicide)|website=justia.com|year=2016|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| New York | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2016/pen/part-3/title-h/article-125/125.27/index.html NY PEN § 125.27. Murder in the first degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2016/pen/part-3/title-h/article-125/125.25/index.html NY PEN § 125.25. Murder in the second degree.]</ref> | No | Aggravated murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2016/pen/part-3/title-h/article-125/125.26/index.html NY PEN § 125.26. Aggravated murder.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2016/pen/part-3/title-h/article-125/|title=New York Penal Code, Part 3 (Specific Offenses), Title H (Offenses Against the Person Involving Physical Injury, Sexual Conduct, Restraint and Intimidation), Article 125 (Homicide, Abortion and Related Offenses)|publisher=New York State|year=2018|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| North Carolina | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="NorthCarolina">[https://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-17.pdf NC Gen Stat § 14-17. Murder in the first and second degree defined; punishment.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="NorthCarolina"/> | No | Murder of an unborn child<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-23.2.pdf NC Gen Stat § 14-23.2. Murder of an unborn child; penalty.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/Statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapter=0014|title=North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 14 (Criminal Law)|publisher=North Carolina General Assembly|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| North Dakota | No | No | No | Murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t12-1c16.pdf#nameddest=12p1-16-01 ND Code § 12.1-16-01. Murder.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t12-1c16.html|title=North Dakota Code, Title 12.1 (Criminal Code), Chapter 12.1-16 (Homicide)|publisher=North Dakota Legislative Council|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Northern Mariana Islands | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.cnmilaw.org/pdf/cmc_section/T6/1101.pdf MP Code § 1101(a). First Degree Murder.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">MP Code § 1101(b). Second Degree Murder.</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnmilaw.org/frames/CommonwealthCode.html|title=Commonwealth Code, Title 6 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure), Division 1 (Crimes Against the Person), Chapter 1 (Homicide)|publisher=Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Law Revision Commission|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Ohio | No | No | No | Murder,<ref group="lower-alpha">OH Revised Code § 2903.02.</ref> Aggravated murder<ref group="lower-alpha">OH Revised Code § 2903.01.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2903|title=Chapter 2903 (Homicide and Assault)|publisher=State of Ohio|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Oklahoma | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/2017/title-21/section-21-701.7/ OK Stat § 21-701.7. Murder in the first degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/2017/title-21/section-21-701.8/ OK Stat § 21-701.8. Murder in the second degree.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/2017/title-21/|title=Oklahoma Statutes 2017, Title 21 (Crimes and Punishments)|website=justia.com|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Oregon | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.107 - Murder in the First Degree |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.107 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.115 - Murder in the Second Degree |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.115 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref> | No | Aggravated murder<ref group="lower-alpha">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.095 - Aggravated Murder |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.095 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref> | <ref>{{cite web |title=Chapter 163 - Offenses Against Persons (2023 Edition) |url=https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors163.html |website=Oregon Legislature |publisher=Oregon State Government |access-date=5 March 2025 |date=1 January 2024}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Pennsylvania | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">18 PA Cons Stat § 2502(a). Murder of the first degree.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">18 PA Cons Stat § 2502(b). Murder of the first degree.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">18 PA Cons Stat § 2502(c). Murder of the first degree.</ref> | No | <ref name="Pennsylvania">{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=25|title=Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), Article B (Offenses Involving Danger to the Person), Chapter 25 (Criminal Homicide)|publisher=Pennsylvania General Assembly|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Puerto Rico | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">P.R. Laws tit. 33, § 4734</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">P.R. Laws tit. 33, § 4734</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://casetext.com/statute/laws-of-puerto-rico/title-thirty-three-penal-code/subtitle-5-penal-code-of-2004-special-provisions/part-i-crimes-against-the-person/chapter-297-crimes-against-life/subchapter-i-murder-and-homicide/4734-degrees-of-murder|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412140149/https://casetext.com/statute/laws-of-puerto-rico/title-thirty-three-penal-code/subtitle-5-penal-code-of-2004-special-provisions/part-i-crimes-against-the-person/chapter-297-crimes-against-life/subchapter-i-murder-and-homicide/4734-degrees-of-murder|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2022|title=P.R. Laws tit. 33, § 4734|access-date=2023-01-29}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Rhode Island | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="RhodeIsland">[http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-23/11-23-1.HTM RI Gen L § 11-23-1 (2013). Murder.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="RhodeIsland"/> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-23/INDEX.HTM|title=Rhode Island General Laws, Title 11 (Criminal Offenses), Chapter 11-23 (Homicide)|publisher=Rhode Island General Assembly|year=2013|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| South Carolina | No | No | No | Murder<ref group="lower-alpha">SC Code § 16-3-10.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c003.php|title=South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 16 (Crimes and Offenses), Chapter 3 (Offenses Against the Person), Article 1 (Homicide)|publisher=South Carolina General Assembly|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| South Dakota | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=22-16-4 SD Codified Laws § 22-16-4. Homicide as murder in the first degree.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://www.sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=22-16-7 SD Codified Laws § 22-16-7. Homicide as murder in the second degree.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=22-16|title=South Dakota Codified Laws, Title 22 (Crimes), Chapter 22-16 (Homicide and Suicide)|publisher=South Dakota Legislature, Legislative Research Council|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Tennessee | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2016/title-39/chapter-13/part-2/section-39-13-202/index.html TN Code § 39-13-202. First degree murder.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2016/title-39/chapter-13/part-2/section-39-13-210/index.html TN Code § 39-13-202. Second degree murder.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2016/title-39/chapter-13/part-2/|title=2016 Tennessee Code, Title 39 (Criminal Offenses), Chapter 13 (Offenses Against the Person), Part 2 (Criminal Homicide)|website=justia.com|year=2016|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Texas | No | No | No | Murder,<ref group="lower-alpha">TX Penal Code § 19.02. Murder.</ref> Capital murder<ref group="lower-alpha">TX Penal Code § 19.03. Capital Murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.19.htm|title=Texas Penal Code, Title 5 (Offenses Against the Person), Chapter 19 (Criminal Homicide)|publisher=Texas Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| U.S. Virgin Islands | | | | |- ! style=text-align:left;| Utah | No | No | No | Murder,<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S203.html?v=C76-5-S203_1800010118000101 UT Criminal Code § 203. Murder.]</ref> Aggravated murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S202.html?v=C76-5-S202_2017050920170509 UT Criminal Code § 202. Aggravated murder.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-P2.html?v=C76-5-P2_1800010118000101|title=Utah Code, Title 76 (Utah Criminal Code), Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Person), Part 2 (Criminal Homicide)|publisher=Utah State Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Vermont | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Vermont">[https://law.justia.com/codes/vermont/2017/title-13/chapter-53/section-2301/ VT Statutes § 2301. Murder-Degrees defined.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Vermont"/> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/vermont/2017/title-13/chapter-53/|title=2017 Vermont Statutes, Title 13 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure), Chapter 53 (Homicide)|website=justia.com|year=2017|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Virginia | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Virginia">[https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-32/ VA Code § 18.2-32. First and second degree murder defined; punishment]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="Virginia"/> | No | Capital murder<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-31/ VA Code § 18.2-31. Capital murder defined; punishment.]</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title18.2/chapter4/article1/|title=Code of Virginia, Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses Generally), Chapter 4 (Crimes Against the Person), Article 1 (Homicide)|publisher=Virginia General Assembly|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Washington | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.32.030 WA Rev Code § 9A.32.030. Murder in the first degree]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.32.050 WA Rev Code § 9A.32.050. Murder in the second degree]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.32|title=Revised Code of Washington, Title 9A (Washington Criminal Code), Chapter 9A.32 (Homicide)|publisher=Washington State Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| West Virginia | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="WestVirginia">WV Code § 61-2-1. First and second degree murder defined; allegations in indictment for homicide.</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha" name="WestVirginia"/> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wvlegislature.gov/WVCODE/Code.cfm?chap=61&art=2#02|title=West Virginia Code, Chapter 61 (Crimes and Their Punishment), Article 2 (Crimes Against the Person)|publisher=West Virginia Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Wisconsin | No | No | No | First-degree intentional homicide,<ref group="lower-alpha">WI Stat § 940.01. First-degree intentional homicide.</ref> first-degree reckless homicide,<ref group="lower-alpha">WI Stat § 940.02. First-degree reckless homicide.</ref> felony murder<ref group="lower-alpha">WI Stat § 940.03. Felony murder.</ref> | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/940/I/|title=Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 940 (Crimes Against Life and Bodily Security), Subchapter 1 (Life)|publisher=Wisconsin State Legislature|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |- ! style=text-align:left;| Wyoming | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2016/title-6/chapter-2/article-1/section-6-2-101/index.html WY Code § 6-2-101. Murder in the first degree; penalty.]</ref> | Yes<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2016/title-6/chapter-2/article-1/section-6-2-104/index.html WY Code § 6-2-104. Murder in the second degree; penalty.]</ref> | No | No | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2016/title-6/chapter-2/article-1/|title=2016 Wyoming Code, Title 6 (Crimes and Offenses), Chapter 2 (Offenses Against the Person), Article 1 (Homicide)|website=justia.com|year=2016|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> |}

==Fetal killing== {{Main|Born alive rule|Feticide}} thumb|260px|right|Fetal homicide laws in the United States {{legend|#02ffff;|"Homicide" or "murder"}} {{legend|#ffff00;|Other crime against fetus}} {{legend|#ff3399;|Depends on age of fetus}} {{legend|#00ff00;|Assaulting mother}} {{legend|#c0c0c0;|No law on feticide}} Under the common law, an assault on a pregnant woman resulting in a stillbirth was not considered murder.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Reinhart|first1=Christopher|title=Murder of an Unborn Child|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/rpt/2002-R-0227.htm|website=Office of Legislative Research|publisher=Connecticut General Assembly|access-date=10 September 2017|date=19 February 2002}}</ref> Remedies were limited to criminal penalties for the assault on the mother and tort action for loss of the anticipated economic services of the lost child, for emotional pain and suffering, or both. With the widespread adoption of laws protecting unborn life, the assailant could be charged with that offense, but the penalty was often only a fine and a few days in jail. A number of states have passed "fetal homicide" laws, making killing of a fetus murder; the laws differ about the stage of development at which the fetus is protected.

After several well-publicized cases, Congress in 2004 passed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which specifically criminalizes harming a fetus, with the same penalties as for a similar attack upon a born human being, when the attack would be a federal offense.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bush|first1=George W.|title=President Bush Signs Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040401-3.html|website=WhiteHouse.gov|access-date=5 May 2016|date=April 2004}}</ref> Most such attacks fall under state laws; for instance, Scott Peterson was convicted of killing his unborn son as well as his wife under California's pre-existing fetal homicide law.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Edds|first1=Kimberly|last2=Argetsinger|first2=Amy|title=Peterson Convicted Of Double Murder|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45520-2004Nov12.html|access-date=10 September 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=13 November 2004}}</ref>

== Sentencing guidelines == {{main|List of punishments for murder in the United States}}

=== Arizona === In Arizona, a person is charged with murder when the offender knowingly and intentionally causes the death of a person or unborn child. First-degree murder must be premeditated. In the state of Arizona, if one is found guilty of first-degree murder, there is the possibility of receiving the death penalty, life without the possibility of parole, or life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/01105.htm |title=13-1105 – First-degree murder; classification |publisher=Azleg.state.az.us |access-date=June 25, 2010}}</ref>

=== California === If a person is convicted of first-degree murder in California, that person may face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. At minimum, they will face a sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison, and thus must serve at least 25 years before being eligible for parole.<ref name=cpc190>{{cite web |title=California Penal Code, Sec. 190 |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=190. |website=California Legislative Information |publisher=California State Legislature |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref> The punishment for the crime of first-degree murder in California is upgraded to a minimum of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or execution of the murderer in at least the following circumstances:<ref name=cpc1902>{{cite web |title=California Penal Code, Sec. 190.2 |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=190.2. |website=California Legislative Information |publisher=California State Legislature |access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref>

*The murder was intentional and carried out for financial gain *Previous conviction of a murder *The murder was committed by means of a bomb, destructive device, or poison *The victim was a judge, prosecutor, fireman, policeman, juror, or witness *The murder was intentional and involved the infliction of torture *The murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in, or was an accomplice in, the commission of, attempted commission of, or the immediate flight after committing, or attempting to commit... [various other violent or sexual felonies] *The murder was intentional and perpetrated by means of discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, intentionally at another person or persons outside the vehicle with the intent to inflict death *The defendant intentionally killed the victim by means of lying in wait. *The victim was intentionally killed because of their race, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin. *The murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest, or perfecting or attempting to perfect, an escape from lawful custody. *The defendant intentionally killed the victim while the defendant was an active participant in a criminal street gang, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 186.22, and the murder was carried out to further the activities of the criminal street gang.

A person convicted of second-degree murder in California will face a sentence of 15 years-to-life in prison, and thus must serve at least 15 years in prison before being eligible for parole.<ref name=cpc1915>{{cite web |title=California Penal Code, Sec. 191.5 |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=191.5. |website=California Legislative Information |publisher=California State Legislature |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref> Punishments are increased if the murder victim was a police officer,<ref name="cpc1891">{{cite web |title=California Penal Code, Sec. 189.1 |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=189.1. |website=California Legislative Information |publisher=California State Legislature |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref> or was killed during a drive-by shooting.<ref name="cpc1202255">{{cite web |title=California Penal Code, Sec. 12022.55 |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=12022.55 |website=California Legislative Information |publisher=California State Legislature |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref> If a gun was used during the murder, the punishment will include an additional 10, 20, or 25 years to life prison sentence. Those convicted will also receive a strike on their criminal record, and fines of up to $10,000. They will also have to pay restitution to victims, and will no longer be allowed to own a gun.<ref name="cpc1202253">{{cite web |title=California Penal Code, Sec. 12022.53 |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=12022.53.&lawCode=PEN |website=California Legislative Information |publisher=California State Legislature |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref>

=== Florida === {{see also|Felony murder rule (Florida)}}In Florida, a person is guilty of first-degree murder when it is perpetrated from a premeditated design to result in the death of a human being. A person is also guilty of first-degree murder if they cause the death of any individual during the commission of a predicate felony regardless of actual intent or premeditation. This is called felony murder. This offense is categorized as capital offense, so if convicted, the offender could possibly receive the death penalty.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida Statutes, Sec. 782.04. Murder|url=http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2017/782.04|website=Florida Senate|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Florida Statutes, Sec. 775.082. Penalties; applicability of sentencing structures; mandatory minimum sentences for certain reoffenders previously released from prison.|url=http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2017/775.082|website=Florida Senate|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="Brenner 1953 2783"/> Second-degree murder is depraved-heart murder; third-degree murder is felony murder where the underlying felony is not one of the enumerated felonies falling under first-degree felony murder.<ref name="Brenner 1953 2783" />

The exact statutory definition of third-degree murder is "[t]he unlawful killing of a human being, when perpetrated without any design to effect death, by a person engaged in the perpetration of, or in the attempt to perpetrate, any felony other than" nineteen enumerated categories of felonies. It constitutes a second-degree felony.<ref name="FloridaSection">{{cite web|year=2017|title=FL Stat § 782.04. Murder.|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0782/Sections/0782.04.html|access-date=March 13, 2018|publisher=Florida Legislature}}</ref> Second-degree felonies are punishable by a maximum of 15 years' imprisonment ordinarily, a maximum of 30 years for a habitual felony offender, or 30 to 40 years for a violent career criminal.<ref>{{cite web|title=FL Stat § 775.082. Penalties; applicability of sentencing structures; mandatory minimum sentences for certain reoffenders previously released from prison.|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html|access-date=March 18, 2018|publisher=Florida Legislature}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FL Stat § 775.084 Violent career criminals; habitual felony offenders and habitual violent felony offenders; three-time violent felony offenders; definitions; procedure; enhanced penalties or mandatory minimum prison terms.|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.084.html|access-date=March 18, 2018|publisher=Florida Legislature}}</ref>

The nineteen enumerated categories of felonies falling under first-degree murder rather than third-degree murder are drug trafficking; arson; sexual battery; robbery; burglary; kidnapping; prison escape; aggravated child abuse; aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult; aircraft piracy; unlawful distribution of cocaine, opium, or other controlled substances when such drug is proven to be the proximate cause of the death of the user; carjacking; home-invasion robbery; aggravated stalking; murder of another human being; unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb; aggravated fleeing or eluding with serious bodily injury or death; resisting an officer with violence to his or her person; or terrorism or an act in furtherance of terrorism.<ref name="FloridaSection" />

=== Hawaii === The state of Hawaii has no death penalty. If they are found guilty, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0707/HRS_0707-0701.htm |title=Hawaii Revised Statutes §707-701 |publisher=Hawaii State Legislature |year=2010 |access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Hawaii Revised Statutes §706-656 | publisher=Hawaii State Legislature | year=2010 | url=http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0706/HRS_0706-0656.htm | access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> A first-degree murder involves one or more specific elements:

* Multiple victims killed * A public safety official, such as a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic/EMT killed * A judge or prosecutor killed (in connection with their respective duties) * A witness in a criminal case killed (in connection with the person being a witness) * Murder committed for hire (with the charge applying to both the murderer and the person who paid the murderer) * Murder committed by an imprisoned person * Murder committed under organized crime (refer to RICO act)

=== Louisiana === Louisiana states homicide in the third-degree is manslaughter. There are other specific guidelines, for example, the killing of a police officer or firefighter is an automatic first-degree charge, and intent to kill more than one person is automatically a first-degree charge. In the state of Louisiana convicted murderers can receive life imprisonment or the death penalty.<ref>{{cite web|title=Louisiana Revised Statutes, Sec. 14:30. First Degree Murder|url=http://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=78397|website=Louisiana State Legislature|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref>

=== Michigan === In Michigan, a person is found guilty of first-degree murder when murder is perpetrated by means of poison, lying in wait, or any other willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing. In Michigan, the top penalty the perpetrator can receive is life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(5be25y30dl5h5l55bobz0c45))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-750-316 |title=Michigan Legislature – Section 750.316 |publisher=Legislature.mi.gov |access-date=June 25, 2010}}</ref>

=== Minnesota === Minnesota law originally defined third-degree murder solely as depraved-heart murder ("without intent to effect the death of any person, caus[ing] the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life").<ref name="Minnesota">{{cite web|year=2017|title=MN Stat § 609.195. Murder in the third degree.|url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.195|access-date=March 13, 2018|publisher=Office of the Revisor of Statutes|location=Minnesota}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Second-Degree Murder|url=http://statelaws.findlaw.com/minnesota-law/minnesota-second-degree-murder.html|access-date=March 13, 2018|website=findlaw.com}}</ref> In 1987, an additional drug-related provision ("without intent to cause death, proximately caus[ing] the death of a human being by, directly or indirectly, unlawfully selling, giving away, bartering, delivering, exchanging, distributing, or administering a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II") was added to the definition of third-degree murder.<ref name="Minnesota" /><ref>{{cite news|last=McKinney|first=Matt|date=April 29, 2013|title=Drug dealers charged with murder in Twin Cities heroin overdose deaths; As heroin deaths hit record highs across the Twin Cities, angry prosecutors are more likely to file third-degree murder charges against dealers.|work=Minnesota Star-Tribune|url=http://www.startribune.com/drug-dealers-charged-with-murder-in-twin-cities-heroin-overdose-deaths/205162571/?c=y&page=1|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> Up until the early 2000s, prosecutions under that provision were rare, but they began to rise in the 2010s. Some reports linked this increase in prosecutions to the opioid epidemic in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Conrad|date=January 23, 2013|title=Murder charges in Minn. overdose cases on the rise|work=MPR News|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/01/23/regional/murder-charges-overdose-cases|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> Minnesota law also defines the crime of third-degree murder of an unborn child, with the same elements of depraved mind and lack of intent to kill distinguishing it from first- or second-degree murder of an unborn child.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Smith|first=Sandra L.|year=1998|title=Fetal Homicide: Woman or Fetus as Victim? A Survey of Current State Approaches and Recommendations for Future State Application|url=http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1539&context=wmlr|journal=William & Mary Law Review|volume=41|issue=5|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref><ref name="MinnesotaUnborn">{{cite web|year=2017|title=MN Stat § 609.2665. Murder of unborn child in the third degree.|url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.2663|access-date=March 13, 2018|publisher=Office of the Revisor of Statutes|location=Minnesota}}</ref> Both third-degree murder and third-degree murder of an unborn child are punishable by a maximum of 25 years' imprisonment.<ref name="Minnesota" /><ref name="MinnesotaUnborn" />

=== Nevada === In Nevada, first-degree murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought, either expressed or implied. If a serial killer is found guilty with aggravating circumstances, for example killing someone with torture or killing a stranger with no apparent motive, then the state can seek the death penalty or a sentence of life without parole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-200.html#NRS200Sec010 |title=NRS: Chapter 200 – Crimes Against The Person |publisher=Leg.state.nv.us |access-date=June 25, 2010}}</ref>

=== New Mexico === New Mexico once divided the crime of murder into five different degrees. A legal scholar writing in 1953 (by which time this level of division had been abolished) described this as the "all-time 'record'" for dividing murder into degrees.<ref name="Brenner 1953 2783"/> The definitions were as follows:

* first degree: premeditated killing (punished by life imprisonment) * second-degree murder was further divided into two kinds ** killing while committing a felony (punished by 7 to 14 years' imprisonment) ** killing with an extremely reckless state of mind (punished by life imprisonment) * third degree: assisting suicide, killing of an unborn child, and other acts of that nature (punished by 3 to 10 years' imprisonment) * fourth degree: killing in the heat of passion, killing while committing a misdemeanour (punished by 1 to 7 years' imprisonment) * fifth degree: "every other killing" that is not justifiable (punished by a maximum fine of $1,000, up to 10 years' imprisonment, or some combination of these)<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gómez|first=Laura E.|date=2000|title=Race, Colonialism, and Criminal Law: Mexicans and the American Criminal Justice System in Territorial New Mexico|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/3115133|journal=Law & Society Review|volume=34|issue=4|pages=1129–1202|doi=10.2307/3115133|jstor=3115133|issn=0023-9216|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In the 1884 Compiled Laws of New Mexico, third-degree murder included assisting a suicide (§ 696), killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother (§ 697), administration of abortifacient causing death of an unborn child or its mother (§ 698), unintentional killing of a human being in the heat of passion in a cruel or unusual manner (§ 699), and unintentional death caused by an intoxicated physician (§ 701).<ref>{{cite book|title=Compiled Laws of New Mexico|publisher=New Mexican Printing Company|year=1885|editor-last=Bartlett|editor-first=Edward L.|chapter=Title IX (Crimes and Offences – Punishments), Chapter 2 (Against Lives and Persons)|series=Laws, etc. (Compiled statutes : 1884).Spanish & English|access-date=March 13, 2018|chapter-url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.35112203967676;view=1up;seq=428}}</ref>

=== Oregon === Oregon revised the state's criminal homicide laws in 2023,<ref name="Oregon 2023 revised murder statutes">{{cite web |title=Chapter 163 - Offenses Against Persons (2023 Edition) |url=https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors163.html |website=Oregon Legislature |publisher=Oregon State Government |access-date=6 March 2025 |date=1 January 2024}}</ref> prior to that the state used the common law charges of murder and aggravated murder.<ref name="Oregon 2017 Revised homicide statutes">{{cite web |title=2017 Oregon Revised Statutes Volume : 04 - Criminal Procedure, Crimes Chapter 163 - Offenses Against Persons |url=https://law.justia.com/codes/oregon/2017/volume-04/chapter-163/ |website=Justia.com |publisher=Justia US Law |access-date=6 March 2025 |date=2017}}</ref> The revision was due to the passage of Senate Bill 1013 which added separate degrees for murder, adding second degree murder and first degree murder, and retaining aggravated murder as the state's only capital offense.<ref name="Oregon SB 1013">{{cite web |title=Senate Bill 1013 |url=https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB1013 |website=Oregon Legislative Assembly |publisher=Oregon State Government |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> The Oregon Legislative Assembly voted to retain the death penalty as the maximum sentence for aggravated murder, despite Oregon having a legislative moratorium on the death penalty since 2011 when Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber stopped enforcing it, and since then Governor's Kate Brown and Tina Kotek have taken the same stance and commuted all death sentences to life without parole; the last person executed in Oregon was in 1997.<ref name="Oregon death penalty moritorium">{{cite news |last1=Frost |first1=Allison |title=Oregon moving closer to effective abolishment of the death penalty |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2022/12/19/oregon-moving-closer-to-effective-abolishment-of-the-death-penalty/ |access-date=6 March 2025 |work=OPB - Think Out Loud |publisher=Oregon Public Broadcasting |date=19 December 2022}}</ref> Oregon voters decided by a majority of 65% to add the death penalty to the Oregon Constitution in 1984 and therefore would take a constitutional amendment to remove it entirely, there have been several attempts to remove the death penalty but as of 2025 none made it past the hurdles required to be on a ballot for the voters to consider.<ref name="Oregon death penalty removal attempts">{{cite web |title=Oregon Death Penalty |url=https://www.oregon.gov/doc/about/pages/oregon-death-penalty.aspx |website=Oregon Department of Corrections |publisher=Oregon State Government |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> * Aggravated murder is defined as (1) The intentional & premeditated killing of two or more persons with the intent to intimidate or coerce the population or government (terrorism) through destruction of property, murder, kidnapping or aircraft piracy. (2) A criminal homicide constituting murder in the second degree that was (a) committed while the defendant was confined in a jail or prison AND had previously been convicted of criminal homicide in any jurisdiction. (b) The intentional & premeditated killing of a person under the age of 14. (c) The intentional & premeditated killing of a police officer, correctional or parole or probation officer, or other person charged with the duty of custody, control or supervision of convicted persons during the performance of their duties.<ref name="Oregon Aggravated Murder">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.095 - Aggravated Murder |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.095 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Oregon State Government |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> ** The minimum sentence for aggravated murder is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. A sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole is imposed if at least 10 members of the jury vote in favor of it.<ref name="Oregon life without parole">{{cite web |title=Senate Bill 1027 |url=https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB1027# |website=Oregon Legislative Assembly |publisher=Oregon State Government |access-date=6 March 2025 |page=6 |date=1 January 2024}}</ref> The death penalty may be sentenced upon a unanimous vote from the jury.<ref name="Oregon Aggravated Murder Sentencing">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.105 - Sentencing options for aggravated murder |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.105 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> * Murder in the first degree is defined as murder in the second degree with the following aggravating factors: murder for hire, murder for profit, having a previous conviction of criminal homicide, the murder of more than one person, the use of torture, the victim was under the age of 14, the victim was a police-peace-corrections or parole officer, a judge or other elected official, a juror or a witness in a criminal case, a murder committed with the use of an explosive, a murder committed to conceal the commission of a crime or committed in the immediate flight from a crime, a murder committed after the defendant had escaped from custody.<ref name="Oregon murder in the first degree">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.107 - Murder in the First Degree |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.107 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> ** The minimum sentence for murder in the first degree is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years; if the defendant was a minor who was at least 15 years old at the time of the murder the minimum sentence is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years.<ref name="Oregon juvenile offenders">{{cite web |title=ORS 144.397 - Release eligibility for juvenile offenders after 15 years of imprisonment |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_144.397 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> If the defendant was at least 18 years old at the time of the murder the judge may impose a sentence, with sufficient cause, of life in prison without the possibility of parole.<ref name="Oregon murder in the first degree">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.107 - Murder in the First Degree |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.107 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> * Murder in the second degree is defined as: (1) Any criminal homicide which: (a) doesn't qualify for any mitigating circumstances that would constitute manslaughter in the first or second degree. (b) When a person's death is caused during the commission of, or immediate flight from the commission of: arson in the first degree, criminal mischief in the first degree where an explosive was used, burglary in the first degree, escape in the first degree, kidnapping in the first or second degree, robbery in the first degree, any felony sexual offense of the first or second degree, compelling prostitution, or assault in the first degree when the victim is under the age of 14. (2) The abuse of a minor under the age of 14 that results in their death under circumstances manifesting depraved indifference to human life.<ref name="Oregon Murder in the second degree">{{cite web |title=ORS 163.115 - Murder in the Second Degree |url=https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.115 |website=Oregon Revised Statutes |publisher=Public Laws - Oregon |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> ** The automatic sentence for murder in the second degree is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, if the defendant is over the age of 18.<ref name="Oregon Murder in the second degree" /> If the defendant is a minor who was at least 15 years old at the time of the murder they are sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 15 years.<ref name="Oregon juvenile offenders" />

=== Pennsylvania === Pennsylvania law defines third-degree murder as a murder which is neither a first-degree murder ("criminal homicide ... committed by an intentional killing") nor a second-degree murder ("committed while defendant was engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony"). For purposes of that section, "felony" is specifically defined as "engaging in or being an accomplice in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing, or attempting to commit robbery, rape, or deviate sexual intercourse by force or threat of force, arson, burglary or kidnapping."<ref name="Pennsylvania2">{{cite web|title=18 PA Cons Stat § 2502. Murder|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=25&sctn=2&subsctn=0|access-date=March 13, 2018|publisher=Pennsylvania General Assembly}}</ref> There are also parallel crimes of first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree murder of an unborn child.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1998|p=1873}} and {{cite web|title=18 PA Cons Stat § 2604. Murder of unborn child|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=26&sctn=4&subsctn=0|access-date=March 13, 2018|publisher=Pennsylvania General Assembly}}</ref> There does not exist the crime of third-degree murder of a law-enforcement officer, only first-degree and second-degree. Third-degree murder and third-degree murder of an unborn child are punishable by a maximum of 40 years' imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|title=18 PA Cons Stat § 1102. Sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer|url=http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=11&sctn=2&subsctn=0|access-date=March 13, 2018|publisher=Pennsylvania General Assembly}}</ref>

Third-degree murder was introduced to Pennsylvania law in a 1974 amendment, at the same time as second-degree murder was redefined as felony murder; prior to that, second-degree murder had been defined as any murder not a first-degree murder.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pennsylvania Law Encyclopedia|publisher=G. T. Bisel Company|year=2008|isbn=978-0327009634|edition=second|page=307|chapter=Murder of the third degree|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7JZAAAAYAAJ&q=%22murder+of+the+third+degree%22}}</ref> The common-law definition of murder as homicide "with malice aforethought" remains in force in Pennsylvania. A conviction for third-degree murder does not require intent to kill as in first-degree murder, but it still requires malice. In general, Pennsylvania courts have ruled that the standard of "malice" required for a conviction of third-degree murder is the same as that required for aggravated assault: not just "ordinary negligence" nor "mere recklessness", but "a higher degree of culpability, i.e., that which considers and then disregards the threat necessarily posed to human life by the offending conduct".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Ready|first=Joel|date=August 2017|title=Com v. Packer: DUI on immediate and debilitating intoxicants satisfies mens rea for third-degree murder|url=http://scopareview.com/com-v-packer/|journal=SCOPA Review|access-date=March 14, 2018}} {{cite court|litigants=Commonwealth v. Packer|reporter=No. 114 MAP 2016|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/pa-supreme-court/1871490.html|access-date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> A defense of diminished capacity may reduce first-degree murder to third-degree murder.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Ebby|first=Robert|year=1993|title=Constitutional Law: When Does Guilty of Third Degree Murder Equal Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity?|url=https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2845&context=vlr|journal=Villanova Law Review|volume=38|issue=4|access-date=March 13, 2018}} {{cite court|litigants=Commonwealth v. Terry|reporter=Pa.|vol=513|opinion=381|year=1987|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1987/513-pa-381-1.html}}</ref>

The crime known as drug delivery resulting in death<ref name="DDRiD">{{cite web|year=2010|title=18 PA Con Stat § 2506 (2010). Drug delivery resulting in death.|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/pennsylvania/2010/title-18/chapter-25/2506/|access-date=March 14, 2018|website=justia.com}} {{cite web|year=2016|title=18 PA Con Stat § 2506 (2016). Drug delivery resulting in death|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/pennsylvania/2016/title-18/chapter-25/section-2506/|access-date=March 14, 2018|website=justia.com}}</ref> had originally been classified as another form of third-degree murder under Pennsylvania law. In ''Commonwealth v. Ludwig'' (2005), the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that this meant that conviction for the crime required the same element of malice as in any other third-degree murder. In response to this ruling, the Pennsylvania General Assembly amended the definition of the crime in 2011 to reclassify it as general criminal homicide rather than specifically as third-degree murder, thus removing the requirement of malice.<ref>{{cite news|last=Vaughn|first=Josh|title=Homicide without the intent to kill|newspaper=The Sentinel|url=http://cumberlink.com/news/local/closer_look/homicide-without-the-intent-to-kill/article_6424a082-243e-5ad3-a803-e81e73281bfb.html|access-date=March 14, 2018}} {{cite court|litigants=Commonwealth v. Ludwig|reporter=Pa.|vol=583|opinion=6|year=2005|url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/591474deadd7b049343a707b|access-date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> However, the maximum sentence remained the same 40 years' imprisonment as for third-degree murder.<ref name="DDRiD" />

=== Wisconsin === {{see also|Felony murder rule (Wisconsin)}}Soon after statehood, Wisconsin enacted statutes repealing the common law crime of murder, creating the statutory crime of murder and dividing the statutory crime of murder into three degrees, with the third encompassing felony murder. For example, the 1849 Revised Statutes defined third-degree murder as a killing "perpetrated without any design to effect the death, by a person engaged in the commission of any felony".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Roman|first=Michael J.|year=1994|title='Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends, Once More': A Call to Re-Evaluate the Felony-Murder Doctrine in Wisconsin in the Wake of ''State v. Oimen'' and ''State v. Rivera''|url=http://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1635&context=mulr|journal=Marquette Law Review|volume=77|issue=4|pages=792–93|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref> The 1956 Criminal Code in § 940.03 defined third-degree murder as causing the death of another "in the course of committing or attempting to commit a felony ... as a natural and probable consequence of the commission of or attempt to commit the felony", and provided that the sentence for the underlying felony could thus be extended by 15 years. This was described by some commentators as a "hybrid" between the common-law felony murder rule and the civil law approach of treating an unintentional death as a "penalty-enhancer" to the punishment for the underlying felony.<ref>{{harvnb|Roman|1994|p=795}}</ref> The 1988 revision of § 940.03 removed the term "third-degree murder" entirely and re-entitled the section as "felony murder".<ref>{{harvnb|Roman|1994|p=804}}</ref>

=== Washington === In the state of Washington, a person may be convicted of first-degree murder when there is a premeditated intent to cause the death of another person. Murder in the first-degree is a class A felony in the state of Washington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.32.030 |title=RCW 9A.32.030: Murder in the first degree |publisher=Apps.leg.wa.gov |access-date=June 25, 2010}}</ref> If a person is convicted of first-degree murder, they will not receive anything lower than life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.32.040 |title=RCW 9A.32.040: Murder in the first degree – Sentence |publisher=Apps.leg.wa.gov |access-date=June 25, 2010}}</ref> The offender can possibly get a charge of aggravated first-degree murder if they commit first-degree murder and have an aggravating circumstance, for example if they kill a public safety official, such as a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic. In this case, the offender can receive the death penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=10.95.020 |title=RCW 10.95.020: Definition |publisher=Apps.leg.wa.gov |access-date=June 25, 2010}}</ref> In October 2018, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that execution could no longer be used as a penalty for any crime.

== See also == {{Portal|Law}} * Crime in the United States * Crime of passion * Criminal negligence * Depraved-heart murder * Felony murder and the death penalty in the United States * List of murder laws by country * Whole life order, an equivalent life-without-parole sentence given for murder, under certain aggravating circumstances, under English criminal law

==Notes== {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Murder in the United States by jurisdiction}}

United States Category:Murder in the United States Category:United States criminal law by topic