Legal Dictionary of Pakistan
Quick lookup for English, Urdu, and Latin legal terms used in Pakistani jurisprudence.
Murder
, n. The killing of a human being with malice aforethought. ( At common law, the crime of murder was not subdivided, but many state statutes have adopted the degree structure outlined below (though the Model Penal Code has not). - murder, ub. - murderous, adj. See MALICE AFORETHOUGHT. Cf. MANSLAUGHTER.
constructive murder
See FELONY-MURDER RULE.
depraved-heart murder
A murder resulting from an act so reckless and careless of the safety of others that it demonstrates the perpetrator's complete lack of regard for human life.
felony murder
Murder that occurs during the commission of a felony (esp. a serious one). - Also termed (in English law)
felony-murder rule
The doctrine holding that any death resulting from the commission or attempted commission of a felony is murder. ( Most states restrict this rule to inherently dangerous felonies such as rape, arson, robbery, or burglary. Cf. MISDEMEANOR-MANSLAUGHTER RULE. "[I]t seems fair to suggest that the future of felony murder is uncertain. England, where the doctrine originated, has abolished it. The Model Penal Code recommends its abolition except for the purpose of creating a rebuttable presumption of malice for killings perpetrated during the course of a felony. Although most states have not yet adopted this position, many of the judicial limitations on felony murder discussed above seem to insure that in many states it will be an unusual case in which one is convicted of felony murder, who absent this doctrine, would not have been convicted of murder." Arnold H. Loewy, Criminal Law in a Nutshell 46 (2d ed. 1987).
first-degree murder
Murder that is willful, deliberate, or premeditated, or that is committed during the course of another serious felony (often limited to rape, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, or arson). ( All murder perpetrated by poisoning or by lying in wait is considered first-degree murder. All types of murder not involving willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing are usu. considered second-degree murder. - Also termed murder of the first degree; murder one.
mass murderer
A person who commits a series of separate but related homicides, whether committed over a short or an extended period. mass tort. See TORT.
murder by torture
A murder preceded by the intentional infliction of pain and suffering on the victim. "In some jurisdictions, a murder by torture may constitute murder in the first degree. It occurs when a defendant intentionally inflicts pain and suffering upon his victim for the purpose of revenge, extortion, or persuasion." 2 Charles E. Torcia, Wharton's Criminal Law $ 144, at 281 (15th ed. 1994).
murder of the first degree
See first-degree murder.
murder one
See first-degree murder.
second-degree murder
Murder that is not aggravated by any of the circumstances of first-degree murder. - Also termed murder of the second degree; murder two.
self-murder.
See SUICIDE.
serial murder
A murder pattern in which one criminal selects several victims at random or because the victims share similar characteristics.
third-degree murder
A wrong that did not constitute murder at common law. ( Only a few states have added to their murder statutes a third degree of murder. The other states classify all murders in two degrees. Manslaughter is not a degree of the crime of murder, but instead is a distinct offense.
willful murder
The unlawful and intentional killing of another without excuse or mitigating circumstances.