what are the different "degrees" of murder and what do they mean?

Answer 1

It varies by state and country but here is a little information.

* The first scheme, used by Pennsylvania among other states:

1. First Degree Murder: All premeditated murders, and (in some states) murders involving certain especially dangerous felonies, such as arson or rape, or committed by an inmate serving a life sentence.
2. Second Degree Murder: Non pre-meditated killing.
3. Third Degree Murder: Any other murder.

* The second scheme, used by New York among other states, as well as the Model Penal Code:

1. First Degree Murder: Murder involving special circumstances, such as murder of a police officer, judge, fireman or witness to a crime; multiple murders; and torture or especially heinous murders. Note that a "regular" premeditated murder, absent such special circumstances, is not a first-degree murder; murders by poison or "lying in wait" are not per se first-degree murders. First degree murder is pre-meditated. [33]
2. Second Degree Murder: Any premeditated murder or felony murder that does not involve special circumstances. [34]

Answer 2

It is a way of grading the crime -- since some methods of committing murder are worse than others. The specific details -- and what is required for each category -- vary by jurisdiction.

On the bar exam, the standard is that any intentional murder is 2nd degree unless something raises it to first degree -- and that would be premeditation and specific intent to kill -- or the use of ambush, bomb, poison or other means that could harm others.

Some states reserve 1st degree for premeditated or death of a police officer -- others have a 3rd degree which is felony murder (death resulting from the commission of some other crimes) -- others use 3rd or 4th degree for voluntary manslaughter -- where the mental state is recklessness ratehr than intent.

Details vary. Check your local listings.

Answer 3

"Being a heretic" has a MUCH narrower focus than that! It means having a different opinion about: The same God, Within the same Church, Using the same scriptures. Heresy is, IMO, denial of personal insight. Personal faith is a one-on-one relationship. Even in the secular world, no two people will have exactly the same relationship with a third person. How then can any two people be expected to have the same relationship with God? How many people throughout church history who were originally branded as heretics now have the word "Saint" in front of their name? Heresy is nothing more than "church politics!" .

Answer 4

1)Vehicular homocide- ya had a car accident and someone in your car or the other one died.

2) Manslughter basically 1) but ya killed someone some other way- like a bar room brawl?

3) Second degree murder. You're in a fight and you're losing so you pull a gun and blow the sucka away.

4) First degree aka premeditated. So you got into the fight and got yer butt kicked. you go home and get your gun and go looking for the dude and blow his s*** away when you find him.