Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
ho·mi·cidePronunciation:
'hä-m&-"sId, 'hO-Function:
nounEtymology: Latin
homicidium, from
homo human being +
caedere to cut, kill
1 : a person who kills another
2 : the killing of one human being by another —compare
MANSLAUGHTER,
MURDER
criminal homicide : homicide committed by a person with a criminal state of mind (as intentionally, with premeditation, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence)
deliberate homicide : homicide caused purposely and knowingly —used in Montana
excusable homicide : homicide that is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act by lawful means with usual and ordinary caution and without any unlawful intent and that is excused under the law with no criminal punishment imposed;
also : JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE in this entry
felonious homicide : homicide committed without justification
homicide by misadventure : homicide that occurs as the result of an accident caused by a person doing a lawful act with no unlawful intent
justifiable homicide : homicide that is committed in self-defense, in defense of another and esp. a member of one's family or sometimes in defense of a residence, in preventing a felony esp. involving great bodily harm, or in performing a legal duty and that is justified under the law with no criminal punishment imposed;
also : EXCUSABLE HOMICIDE in this entry
negligent homicide : homicide caused by a person's criminally negligent act
reckless homicide : homicide caused by a person's reckless acts
NOTE: In Illinois, involuntary manslaughter committed by use of a motor vehicle is called reckless homicide.
ve·hic·u·lar homicide /vE-'hi-ky&-l&r-/ : homicide committed by the use of a vehicle (as an automobile or boat)
[hom-uh-sahyd, hoh-muh-] 
