Felony Murder
/ˈfɛləni ˈmɜrdər/
Definitions
- (n.) A legal doctrine under which a defendant can be charged with murder if a death occurs during the commission or attempted commission of a felony, regardless of intent to kill.
Under the felony murder rule, the defendant was convicted of murder after a robbery resulted in a fatality.
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Commentary
The felony murder rule is strictly a form of strict liability for homicide that eliminates the need to prove intent to kill; it requires careful statutory interpretation and varies by jurisdiction.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.