Guide to 2nd Degree Murder by a Mississauga Lawyer: Penalties, Defences & Next Steps if Accused

In Canada, homicides are classified as either culpable or non-culpable. Culpable homicide refers to situations where an individual can be held legally responsible for the death of another. One of the most serious charges associated with culpable homicide is murder, which involves the unlawful killing of another person with intent. To secure a conviction for murder, the prosecution, known as the Crown, must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused had the intent to kill. Within Canadian law, murder is further divided into two categories: first-degree and second-degree. First-degree murder involves a killing that is both planned and deliberate. Second-degree murder is defined as an intentional killing that does not meet the specific criteria of first-degree murder. Understanding the legal distinctions between these two types of murder and the potential consequences is important for anyone facing such charges. If you or a loved one has been accused of second-degree murder, it is i...