felony murder
Low (Technical Legal Term)Formal / Legal
Definition
Meaning
A criminal homicide that occurs during the commission or attempted commission of a dangerous felony (such as robbery, arson, rape, or burglary), for which the perpetrator can be charged with murder even without the specific intent to kill.
A legal doctrine that holds participants in a felony criminally liable for a death caused by any participant during the commission of that felony. It is often used to extend first-degree murder charges in cases where death was an unintended but foreseeable consequence of the criminal act.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun functioning as a specific legal term of art. It represents a concept, not a description of an act (e.g., 'he committed a felony murder'). Its meaning is entirely defined by statutory and common law, which can vary significantly by jurisdiction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'felony murder rule' exists in various forms across US state jurisdictions and federal law. In England and Wales, the common law felony murder rule was abolished by the Homicide Act 1957, though similar liability can arise under the principles of 'joint enterprise' or 'constructive malice' for certain specified violent felonies. The term is therefore far more prevalent and actively used in American legal contexts.
Connotations
In the US, it carries strong connotations of severe criminal liability and prosecutorial tool. In UK contexts, its use is primarily historical or comparative, referencing abolished legal doctrine.
Frequency
Very common in US legal discourse, criminal law textbooks, and court proceedings. Rare in everyday UK English except in historical or academic legal discussion.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Defendant] was charged with felony murder for a death during [Felony].The state's felony murder [rule/statute] applies to [Felony type].The prosecution is seeking a conviction for felony murder.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No common idioms use this specific technical term)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in law schools, criminology, and legal history papers. Example: 'The article critiques the moral foundations of the felony murder doctrine.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might appear in news reports about serious crimes and trials.
Technical
Core term in criminal law, used in statutes, indictments, judicial opinions, legal briefs, and jury instructions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No verb form in standard use)
American English
- (No verb form in standard use)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form)
American English
- (No adverb form)
adjective
British English
- The felony murder rule was debated in Parliament.
- The defendant faced a felony murder charge.
American English
- The felony murder statute varies from state to state.
- The jury heard instructions on felony murder liability.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too complex for A2; concept not introduced.)
- The news said the robber was also charged with murder because someone died. This is called felony murder.
- Under the felony murder rule, if one member of a gang kills someone during a bank robbery, all robbers can be charged with murder.
- The defense attorney argued that applying the felony murder doctrine to her client, who was merely the getaway driver and unaware of any violence, constituted a violation of proportional justice.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FELONY + MURDER = Felony Murder. If a death happens while committing a serious crime (felony), the law may treat it as murder, even if killing wasn't the plan.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL LIABILITY IS A NET (The felony murder rule casts a wide net of liability over all participants in a felony.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'тяжкое убийство' (serious murder). It is a specific doctrine, not a degree of severity. A descriptive translation like 'убийство, сопряжённое с совершением тяжкого преступления' is more accurate but cumbersome.
- Do not confuse with 'убийство при отягчающих обстоятельствах' (murder with aggravating circumstances), which is a broader category.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He felony murdered someone' – incorrect).
- Using it in non-legal contexts where 'murder during a robbery' would suffice.
- Capitalizing it incorrectly (not typically a proper noun unless starting a sentence or in a title).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'felony murder' MOST commonly and correctly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, that is the defining feature of the doctrine. Liability attaches based on participation in the underlying felony, not on a specific intent to cause death.
In many US jurisdictions, felony murder is elevated to first-degree murder by statute, making it punishable as harshly as premeditated murder. However, the mental state required is different.
Historically, yes, if a victim or police officer killed someone (even another felon) while resisting the felony, felons could be liable. Modern statutes often limit liability to deaths caused by a co-felon or the felon's actions.
The classic common law felony murder rule was abolished in England and Wales in 1957. Similar outcomes can now be achieved through other legal avenues like 'joint enterprise' liability for murder.