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Simple English definitions for legal terms

felony murder doctrine

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A quick definition of felony murder doctrine:

The felony murder doctrine is a rule in criminal law that says if someone commits a serious crime and someone dies as a result, they can be charged with murder even if they didn't mean to kill anyone. For example, if someone tries to rob a store and accidentally shoots and kills someone, they can be charged with murder. However, there are some rules that limit when this can be applied. The crime that caused the death has to be really dangerous, and it can't be something that's already part of the murder charge.

A more thorough explanation:

The felony murder doctrine is a legal principle that allows a court to convict a defendant of murder if they committed a felony that unintentionally resulted in a killing.

For example, in the case of People v. Hernandez, two men attempted to rob an undercover officer who was a potential purchaser of drugs. In the ensuing gunfight, the officer was killed. The court applied the felony murder doctrine to convict the two men of murder, even though they did not intend to kill the officer.

However, there are limitations to the application of the felony murder doctrine. One limitation is the merger doctrine, which prevents the application of the doctrine if the underlying felony merges into the murder. For instance, in the case of People v. Sarun Chun, the court disallowed the felony murder doctrine because the underlying felony, a drive-by shooting, was assaultive in nature.

Another limitation is that the underlying felony must be inherently dangerous to human life. In the case of People v. Howard, the court denied the application of the felony murder doctrine to a defendant whose reckless driving resulted in a death because the state criminal statute prohibiting the defendant's manner of driving was not inherently dangerous to human life.

In summary, the felony murder doctrine allows a court to convict a defendant of murder if they committed a felony that unintentionally resulted in a killing. However, there are limitations to its application, such as the merger doctrine and the requirement that the underlying felony be inherently dangerous to human life.

felony | felony murder rule

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BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
Right. Broken links smh
I've been UR since first/second week of Jan, no updates otherwise, is that a bad sign? At or above median LSAT and above 75th gpa.
The profile links are not working for me. anybody else?
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