In this article, we are going to answer your question “what is third degree murder?” If you want to know about details about it, then please read the entire article carefully. Our experienced lawyers have explained about 3rd degree murders for you.
The true meaning of third-degree murder is the unlawful and unintentional killing of a person. When you kill someone by mistake; however, you have no intention of murdering, it would be known as a third-degree murder.
What is Third Degree Murder?
3rd-degree murders means if you kill someone without any intention of killing is considered a 3rd-degree crime. For example, if you have been in a fight and all on a sudden you struck the other guy.
Does Third Degree Murder Exist?
The primary purpose of this article is to give you proper information about 3rd degree murders. Before you know, what is third-degree murders? You must know the essential factors and truth about third-degree deaths.
There are 3 degrees of murders, and each of the degrees has its jurisdictions and laws. Those 3 degrees of crimes are.
1st Degree Murder
1st-degree murder means if you kill someone intentionally is considered as 1st-degree murder.
2nd Degree Murder
2nd-degree murder means if you kill someone intentionally but without any plan.
3rd Degree Murder
If you have been in a fight and all on a sudden you struck the other guy.
After the hit, he died. But you didn’t have any intention of killing him. This is called third-degree murder. So, third-degree crime means killing someone accidentally.
Why do you need to know them? Well, as you have seen previously it is mentioned that, we have dedicated articles on every kind of murder cases. To let you know a bit more details together, we have compiled all three types of murder cases together. You can read our article on what is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree murders.
Classification of Third Degree Murders
Third-degree murder is also known as third-degree manslaughter. Third-degree homicide is classified into two categories. Such as
- Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary manslaughter also is known as very passionate about killing and committing the crime. The most common words for voluntary manslaughter are psycho. A psycho doesn’t have time to think about why he is committing a crime or killing someone. He can kill someone without any reason.
- Involuntary Manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter means if someone accidentally kills someone because of other persons’ negligence. The actual meaning of involuntary manslaughter is killing someone unintentionally and without your sense that your actions could cause death.
Example of Third Degree Murders
Imagine I am a drug dealer, and I sell drugs to joe and his friends.
They were taking drugs overnight, and one of his friends died because of the overdose of drugs. Yes, that would be considered as third-degree murder. But I don’t have any idea about that guy who died because of an overdose of drugs.
It was his fault. But you will be considered as the killer because he died because of your drugs. This type of murders is called third-degree crimes.
Punishment of Third Degree Murders
If someone is charged with third-degree murder or if someone is found guilty of 3rd-degree murders. He will be receiving 8 to 10 years of a prison sentence if he doesn’t have any previous criminal history. But if he has any prior criminal history, he will be receiving 25 years to 27 years of a prison sentence by the law of the united states of America.
Charges of Third Degree Murder
To charge with third-degree murder, you don’t have to kill someone intentionally. You don’t even have to present in the murder spot to be charged with third-degree murder. Imagine if someone is committing suicide, and he left a note that you are responsible for the suicide.
In that case, you don’t even know that someone is committing suicide because of you, but you will be charged with third-degree murder.
Imagine a few friends are taking drugs overnight. They were having so much fun. But all on a sudden of the guy started choking because of an overdose of drugs eventually he died. In that case, the rest of the friends will be charged with third-degree murders.
Contact Drug lawyers at Criminal Defence Lawyer in Regina.
Elements of Third Degree Murders
There are five elements of third-degree murders. All of the five features are very important.
- The very 1st element of third-degree murder is that death must be proven. If you are charged with third-degree murders, the prosecutor must prove the death of the victim.
- The 2nd element of third-degree murder is to the death should be caused directly or indirectly.
- The 3rd element of 3rd-degree murder is the accused must be charged with third-degree murder.
- The very important element of third-degree murders is it caused without having any intention of killing.
- The last element of third-degree murder is if you are charged with murder, and you have a previous criminal history.
Note that, third-degree murder depends on many factors. Some of the elements are critical to understanding. The very first one is killing someone without any intention. The second one is killing someone accidentally. And the third one is killing someone because of other person negligence.
Homicide Types and Their Differences
Homicide is defined as when one person kills another due to an accident or another person’s careless behaviour. Murder and manslaughter are the two primary classifications of homicide. These are broad categories, and each state has its own set of penalties. One to two years can be served as a light sentence, and more than 20 years can be served as a heavy punishment. Manslaughter convictions typically result in fewer sentences than murder convictions.
Both homicide and murder convictions are based on intent to kill. The table below illustrates the difference between the three degrees of murder:
| First Degree Murder | First-degree murder is the illegal killing of a person on the basis of a blueprint that the murderer has painted before. First-degree murder meaning basically varies from state to state. |
| Second Degree Murder | Second-degree murder is intentional, like first-degree murder, but it does not possess premeditation like first-degree murder. Intentional in the sense that the murderer murders the victim being provoked by his will. |
| Third Degree Murder | Now comes the third-degree murder. If you go for third-degree murder meaning, you will find that this category of murder results from the convict’s unintentional condition. |
Final Words
Third degree murder charges can be very unfair sometimes because you may be innocent in some cases, but you are charged with third-degree murders. If you are charged with third-degree murder, the very first thing you should do is to keep your mouth shut.
If you read this article carefully, you probably know what is 3rd degree murders now. We have tried to share everything you need to know about 3rd degree murders in above article. Everybody should know the degrees of murders.
If you face any legal cases regarding these kind of criminal offense, you must speak with a criminal lawyer. Criminal lawyer is very essential for solving such cases. Even, if you are not guilty, don’t talk anything until you have your lawyer. Hiring a good lawyer is very important if you are charged with third degree murder.
