What Is Homicide?

Full Video Transcript

The term homicide is ubiquitous in modern television and film. When we think of homicide, we often think of the intentional killing of another, but this isn’t necessarily accurate. Although it depends on your jurisdiction, homicide is usually the killing of one human being by another. However, homicide itself is not necessarily a crime and does not necessarily mean intent was used to commit the killing. There are many instances where homicide is not a criminal act, such as when it’s committed in self-defense, by accident, while sufficiently enraged, while delusional, and various other instances. When someone kills another intentionally, that act is usually referred to as murder, which is the more common legal term to use for an intentional killing. If you or someone you know has been charged with homicide or murder, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney immediately.