Homicide

Also known as: Killing

In one sentence

The act of one person causing the death of another human being.

Plain English

Homicide is the killing of one person by another. It's a broad legal category that includes both criminal and non-criminal deaths—for example, a justified self-defense killing or an accidental death caused by negligence. The key question in any homicide case is whether the killing was lawful (like in self-defense) or unlawful (like murder or manslaughter). The specific charges and penalties depend on the circumstances and the killer's mental state at the time.

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Example

A driver runs a red light and hits a pedestrian, killing them instantly. This would likely be investigated as a homicide, though the driver might be charged with vehicular manslaughter rather than murder, since there was no intent to kill.

Used in a sentence

“The prosecutor charged him with homicide after the fatal altercation outside the bar.”

Related terms

Malice

The intentional desire to cause harm or the reckless disregard for the consequences of one's actions.

accomplice liability

Legal responsibility for a crime based on helping or encouraging someone else to commit it.

insanity defense

A legal argument that the defendant was mentally ill and therefore not responsible for their criminal conduct.

alibi defense

A claim that the defendant was somewhere else when the crime occurred.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

Expungement

A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

Felony

A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.