second degree murder :: n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an a ... t degree murder manslaughter murder
first degree murder :: n. although it varies from state to state, it is g ... aughter murder second degree murder
manslaughter :: n. the unlawful killing of another person without ... laughter. See also: homicide murder
murder :: n. the killing of a human being by a sane person, ... premeditation second degree murder
felony murder doctrine :: n. a rule of criminal statutes that any death whic ... arged with murder. See also: murder
vehicular manslaughter :: n. the crime of causing the death of a human being ... gence manslaughter reckless driving
reasonable doubt :: n. not being sure of a criminal defendant's guilt ... also: preponderance of the evidence
crime of passion :: n. a defendant's excuse for committing a crime due ... dant. See also: manslaughter murder
youthful offenders :: n. under-age people accused of crimes who are proc ... alty. See also: juvenile delinquent
wrongful death :: n. the death of a human being as the result of a w ... ual beneficiaries (family members).
proximate cause :: n. a happening which results in an event, particul ... also: intervening cause negligence
Twinkie defense :: n. a claim by a criminal defendant that at the tim ... rder. See also: diminished capacity
suicide :: n. the intentional killing of oneself. Ironically, ... e manslaughter second degree murder
homicide :: n. the killing of a human being due to the act or ... aughter murder self-defense suicide
extenuating circumstances :: n. surrounding factors (sometimes called mitigatio ... See also: mitigating circumstances
diminished capacity :: n. essentially a psychological term which has foun ... See also: insanity M'Naughten rule
indictable offense :: n. a crime (offense) for which a Grand Jury rules ... o commit them. See also: indictment
heat of passion :: n. in a criminal case, when the accused was in an ... oing. See also: manslaughter murder
malice aforethought :: n. 1) the conscious intent to cause death or great ... : first degree murder malice murder
malum in se :: (mal-uhm in say) adv. Latin referring to an act th ... hibitum. See also: malum prohibitum
fornication :: n. sexual intercourse between a man and woman who ... obbers, murderers and drug dealers.
malice :: n. a conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a ... cution murder public figure slander
life without possibility of parole :: n. a sentence sometimes given for particularly vic ... or may someday reduce the sentence.
peace bond :: n. a bond required as part of a court order to gua ... ee also: injunction stay away order
gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993.
jeopardy :: n. peril, particularly danger of being charged wit ... ar Evers. See also: double jeopardy
premeditation :: n. planning, plotting or deliberating before doing ... e murder malice aforethought murder
special circumstances :: n. in criminal cases, particularly homicides, acti ... urant. See also: capital punishment
transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
three strikes, you're out :: n. recent (beginning 1994) legislation enacted in ... ich involve small amounts of money.
privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege
pedophilia :: n. an obsession with children as sex objects. Over ... also: molestation pornography rape
bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance
admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
arson :: n. the felony crime of intentionally burning a hou ... ath resulting from arson is murder.
attempt :: v. and n. to actually try to commit a crime and ha ... felt he tried but did not succeed.
successive sentences :: n. in criminal law, the imposition of the penalty ... uld be 15 years. See also: sentence
misadventure :: n. a death due to unintentional accident without a ... me. See also: homicide manslaughter
intent :: n. mental desire and will to act in a particular w ... ess homicide or other lesser crime.
intoxication :: n. 1) the condition of being drunk as the result o ... r. See also: vehicular manslaughter
back-to-back life sentences :: n. slang for consecutive life terms imposed by a j ... ther 25 years for a parole hearing.
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
corpus delicti :: n. (corpus dee-lick-tie) Latin for the substantial ... gon, the body of the murder victim.
death penalty :: n. the sentence of execution for murder and some o ... rder and some other capital crimes.
double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier.
confidential communication :: n. certain written communications which can be kep ... privilege privileged communication
comity :: n. when one court defers to the jurisdiction of an ... of cases to which comity may apply.
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
circumstantial evidence :: n. evidence in a trial which is not directly from ... circumstantial. See also: evidence
exemplary damages :: n. often called punitive damages, these are damage ... See also: damages punitive damages