Penal Code 187 PC – Murder

Penal Code 187 refers to the crime of murder in the state of California. Murder is the unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought. Malice aforethought generally means the intent to kill or cause serious bodily harm to another person.

In California, murder is classified into two degrees:

First-Degree Murder: This is a more serious offense and is defined as a killing that is deliberate, premeditated, or committed in the commission of certain felonies like robbery, burglary, arson, rape, or kidnapping. First-degree murder is punishable by either life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty

Second-Degree Murder: This refers to murders that do not fall under the criteria for first-degree murder but still involve an intentional killing without legal justification. Second-degree murder is also a serious offense and is punishable by 15 years to life imprisonment.

PC 187 first-degree murder carries 25 years to life in state prison. If it was a Hate Crime , the penalty is life without the possibility of parole (LWOP). Hate crime murder is based on the victim’s: Race, Religion, Gender, disability, sexual orientation or nationality.