Homicide is any act that results in the death of another person. It’s typically a criminal charge, meaning the perpetrator could face a long prison sentence or even the death penalty in states that still carry it. But a person may be able to avoid a conviction or get a reduced charge by using a defense strategy.
For example, if you killed someone to protect yourself or others, it might be considered lawful, or justifiable, homicide. In these cases, you must have believed you faced immediate danger and that your use of force was reasonable.
Other types of homicide include murder and manslaughter. Murder is the intentional killing of a person with malice aforethought and is one of the most serious crimes in many countries. In order for a crime to be considered first-degree murder, it must involve premeditation and deliberation — you must have planned the killing in advance, perhaps by preparing a weapon or creating an alibi.
Manslaughter is a lesser charge in some states for deaths that are caused by reckless behavior, like speeding or drunk driving, and don’t have the high level of planning associated with murder. There are also accidental homicides, like drowning or car crashes. And a person can be charged with felony murder when they kill another person during the commission of a dangerous felony, like robbery or arson. This type of homicide is not as common as the other two, but it can still result in significant jail time and a substantial fine.