Kushner | Law Group PLLC
Kushner | Law Group PLLC
Kushner | Law Group PLLC

Vigorous Advocates Fighting For Your Rights

New York Homicide: NY Penal Law § 125 Explained

Homicide occurs when the actions or inactions of one person causes the death of another. NY Penal Law § 125 defines it as “conduct which causes the death of a person or an unborn child.” Homicide is further broken down into a number of categories including:

1. Negligent Homicide: Negligent homicide occurs when someone’s criminally negligent actions lead to the death of another. In order for an action to be criminally negligent there must have been a reasonable risk that was ignored or overlooked. Ignoring or overlooking this risk must also be considered a departure from the standard of care of a reasonable person.

2. Manslaughter: Manslaughter occurs when a person’s reckless actions lead to the death of another. NY Penal Law § 15.05 defines recklessness as when a person is “aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk” and also as a person who “creates such a risk but is unaware.” This means it is reckless behavior to knowingly ignore a reasonable risk to the safety of another or to create such a risk. When either of these two events leads to the death of another person it is considered manslaughter.

3. Murder: Murder occurs when someone possesses intent to take the life of another person and does so. This differs from manslaughter and negligent homicide in that the intended result of the defendants actions was to kill said person.

4. Abortion: Abortion as a homicide occurs when an individual purposefully causes a miscarriage on themselves or another person without consent, or if the action is unjustifiable by law.

Elements Of Homicide

In order to be found guilty of the above crimes the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

  • There was an unlawful killing
  • Of another human being
  • It was the result of criminal negligence
  • It was caused by a reckless action
  • It was premeditated with malice aforethought

Common Defenses

In many homicide defenses, the best outcome is reducing the degree or seriousness of the charge. With this goal in mind some of the strategies include:

  • Demonstrating with evidence that the defendant did not possess the intent to commit homicide
  • Demonstrating a lack of evidence that shows the defendant possessed the intent to commit homicide

Serious Defense For Serious Allegations: Contact Us

The Kushner Law Group strives to protect your legal rights as a team of like-minded legal professionals that believe in the equality and justice mandated in our Constitution. If you have been charged with homicide or another crime, contact us now for a free consultation at 718-838-9341 or click here to learn more about our firm.