Legal Terminology For Murder

#1 10-25-2005, 12:24 AM

Is there a difference between "Capital Murder" and "First Degree Murder," or are these just two ways of referring to the same thing?

Thanks

#2 10-25-2005, 12:26 AM

capital offenses refer to ones where you are put to death if convicted. I'm not sure murder 1 is a capital crime in all states. In any case the legal term for murder is homicide.

slickpoppa · #3 10-25-2005, 12:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
In any case the legal term for murder is homicide.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats not true. Homicide just means killing someone. Murder is an illegal homcide. If I kill someone in self-defense, it is a homicide, but not murder.

#4 10-25-2005, 12:30 AM

i suppose your right

slickpoppa · #5 10-25-2005, 12:27 AM

They are overlapping terms that are sometimes synonymous. It varies from state to state. "Capital" means that it is punishable by the death penalty. "First degree" has to do with the level of intent and premeditation. In most states with the death penalty, the death penaty only applies to first degree murder.

#6 10-25-2005, 12:29 AM

n/m

jason_t · #7 10-25-2005, 12:27 AM

#8 10-25-2005, 12:27 AM

I think a capital murder case is one involving the death penalty as in the line of duty killing of a cop. First degree murder means the crime was pre-meditated as opposed to a crime of passion.

#9 10-25-2005, 12:29 AM

there arent special laws for killing cops, they just throw the book at you.

#10 10-25-2005, 12:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
there arent special laws for killing cops, they just throw the book at you.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right the laws aren't different for cops, but prosecutors are more inclined to seek the death penalty for some murders including the killing of a cop in the line of duty.