Child Murder Laws

Child Murder Laws

 

 

• The murder of a child is treated like the murder of an adult in the eyes of the law. The specifics of how the laws are carried out varies from state to state and depending on each judge's ruling (i.e. the death penalty is allowed in some states, but not others). However, There are generally rules that all states must follow. Murder is murder in the eyes of the law in many cases.

Residential Status

• In some states, if a person is convicted of child murder, and is let out of prison, this person must report himself as a child murderer. For example, in Illinois if a person has been convicted she must register as a Violent Offender Against Youth, and these records must be available to the public, like sex offender records. However, if the murder was sexually motivated, then the person will just register as a sex offender. This law will vary depending on the state, and in some states violent offenders may not need to identify themselves to the public.

Types of Murder

• If the murder was premeditated or was the result of another injury, like a stab wound, then it is a first degree-murder. This is sometimes called a "depraved heart murder" as well if the person does not show any signs of remorse. The degree of murder is determined by something called the Pennsylvania Method. This is where first-degree murder started.

When A Child Murders

• When a child commits a murder, in most states he will still be tried as an adult. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, the child's case can be moved to juvenile court, but if it is a typical first-degree murder case, then the child will be charged as an adult. In 2009, in Pennsylvania, a boy was charged with the murder of his dad's girlfriend. He was only eleven, but charged as an adult because he pleaded guilty and all the evidence proved it was a premeditated murder. The girlfriend was eight months pregnant and it was a double homicide.