In a nutshell, the offense of murder involves the unlawful killing of another person. However, the seriousness of murder charges will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the death.
The most serious murders in Oklahoma are categorized as murders in the first degree, with life imprisonment or even the death penalty being potential penalties in some cases. Murder in the second degree is still a very serious charge, but the circumstances surrounding the death will be very different.
Outlined below is a more in-depth analysis of murder laws in Oklahoma.
First-degree murder
The most serious category of homicide offense is first-degree murder. This typically involves the premeditated killing of another person or the aggravated killing of another person during a violent felony. Unsurprisingly, the penalties for this offense are severe. Those convicted can expect life imprisonment with no possibility of parole and even the death penalty in extreme cases.
Second-degree murder
Typically, this crime involves taking the life of another individual during a non-violent felony. Second-degree murder does not necessarily have to involve intent. However, it must be proven that the accused has shown complete indifference toward human life and behaved in a manner that indicates a “depraved mind”.
Protecting your rights
It doesn’t get much more serious than facing murder charges. Nonetheless, you are innocent until proven guilty beyond all reasonable doubt. There are some possible defenses to murder charges, including self-defense, lack of mental capacity, lack of intent and several others.
If you’ve been accused of a serious offense like murder, legal guidance can help you explore your defense options in further detail.