Eli5: What do the degrees assigned to crimes, e.g. first degree murder, indicate?

Question

Eli5: What do the degrees assigned to crimes, e.g. first degree murder, indicate?

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Answer 1

First degree is pre-meditated murder, meaning it was planned and intentional. Second degree is not pre-planned, but intentional — say you find your spouse in bed with somebody and in anger kill them. 3rd degree or manslaughter are unintentionally killing somebody, ie. a bar fight or negligence in a car accident.