Murder is a class A-1 felony, the most serious crime in New York. There are 5 types of Murder in the Second Degree: Intentional and unlawful killing of another person. NY Penal Law §125.25(1). Depraved Indifference Murder, NY Penal Law §125.25(2). This is where you are acting recklessly, not intentionally, but with such a depraved [...]

Felony Murder occurs when committing a felony, attempting to commit a felony, or while running away from just committing one, someone dies. It’s worth noting that a felony murder charge will only result if the person who dies was not a participant in the felony, meaning the person who died was not a defendant or [...]

Aggravated Murder involves special cases where the person who died has some special status as defined by the law.  All of these are found under NY Penal Law §125.26. Killing of the following people who have special status would result in an aggravated murder charge: Police officer; Court officer; Parole officer; Probation officer; Employee of [...]

There are over 20 different types of Murder in the First Degree.  These are all listed under various subdivisions of New York Penal Law §125.27. The crime of Murder in the 1st Degree can be grouped as follows: Many of the same individuals listed in Aggravated Murder will also result in a Murder in the [...]

Murder charges are the most serious felonies under New York Law, though the sentences for them may vary. The following are the penalties for Murder, keeping in mind that certain mandatory sentencing may be altered depending on which of the following subdivisions a person has been convicted of, or what the person’s criminal history may [...]

No.  In 2004 the highest court in New York State, the New York State Court of Appeals, found that the death penalty statute was unconstitutional, not the death penalty itself.  However, thus far, the legislature has not passed a new death penalty law.  The last major attempt to do so was in 2008.