What does murder (In Liitigation) mean?

What does murder (In Liitigation) mean?

In the context of litigation, murder refers to the legal accusation or claim that a person has unlawfully killed another person with malice aforethought (the intention to kill or cause grievous harm).

Key Elements of Murder in Litigation:

  1. Unlawful Killing: The act of causing someone's death without legal justification (e.g., self-defense might not be considered murder).

  2. Malice Aforethought: The intention to kill or cause serious harm, or acting with a reckless disregard for human life. This can be expressed (clear intent) or implied (actions so reckless that they show a disregard for life).

  3. Degrees of Murder:

    • First-degree murder: Premeditated and intentional killing, or a death occurring during certain serious felonies (felony murder rule).
    • Second-degree murder: Intentional but not premeditated, or a reckless disregard for human life.
  4. Litigation: In legal proceedings, "murder" appears as a criminal charge brought by the state or prosecution against the accused. It may also arise in civil litigation, such as wrongful death lawsuits, where the family or representatives of the deceased seek damages.

If you see a case that is tagged as IN LITIGATION and you have information suggesting that this is incorrect please let us know by navigating to that case page and click on the 'Provide Case Information' button.


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