Law In America

Homicide Human kills another human 5 categories of criminal homicide in PA Murder 1 Murder 2 Murder 3 Voluntary Manslaughter Involuntary Manslaughter

Murder 1 Intentionally kills the victim Must be premeditation Penalty is death or life in prison without parole

Murder 2 Felony murder Committed while in the act of a felony Penalty is life in prison

Murder 3 All other types of murder Penalty is 20-40 years in prison

Voluntary Manslaughter Crime of sudden or intense passion Person thinks its justifiable at the moment Penalty is ten to twenty years in prison

Involuntary manslaughter Death is a direct result of doing an unlawful act in a reckless manner Punishment is 5-10 years in prison

Elements of Murder Unlawful act committed by a human being Act must be the legal cause of death Victim must be a human being (includes an unborn child) Death must occur within a reasonable amount of time

Murder 1 is only one with death penalty (PA) District Attorney (DA, Prosecutor) decides to go after the death penalty Only time the jury decides the punishment for a guilty person is in a death penalty case

Aggravated Assault Attempt to cause or cause serious bodily injury to another with or without a deadly weapon Attempt to put public officials in danger Is a felony of 1st or 2nd degree

Simple Assault Attempt to cause bodily harm to another Negligently cause bodily harm to another with a deadly weapon Attempt by threats to place another in fear of serious bodily injury Is a misdemeanor of 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree

Harassment Strike, shove, or engage in physical contact or attempt to do the same Follow the person in public places Repeatedly commits acts which alarm or annoy the victim Is a summary offense

Stalking Place the victim in fear of bodily injury Cause the victim substantial emotional distress Is a 1st degree misdemeanor More severe than harassment charge

Kidnapping Remove a person from the place were they are usually found Confine another for a period of time in a place of isolation 1st degree felony

Intentions of Kidnapping Ransom Protection Intend to harm or terrorize someone