VIOLENT CRIMES | Murder

 

Murder F.S. 782.04

 

The most serious crimes one can commit.  Murder usually requires some form of intent to commit the crime. 

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Murder in the First Degree may be committed by pre-meditation or during the commission of a felony (felony murder).   The maximum penalty for either one is death.

 

Murder in the Second Degree does not necessarily require an intent to cause the death.  Rather, it requires an act imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a depraved mind without regard for human life.  It may also be caused during the commission of a felony.  The maximum penalty for second degree murder is life in prison.

 

Many people are convicted of murder even though they were not the one who actually caused the death.  This happens when a person participates in a felony crime with another person, knowingly aids, abets, counsels, hires, or otherwise procures the commission of a felony, and the other person kills someone during the commission of the crime.  Both may be held equally guilty.