Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

In general, a crime committed with premeditation is most likely classified under which category?

1. Manslaughter

2. Second degree murder

3. First degree murder

4. Felony murder

The correct answer is: First degree murder

A crime committed with premeditation is typically classified as first degree murder. This designation is based on the intentional planning and forethought that precedes the act of killing. First degree murder involves a deliberate intention to kill that is formulated prior to the actual event. This premeditated aspect sets it apart from other classifications of homicide, where the intent or planning may not be as pronounced or may arise in the heat of the moment. Manslaughter, on the other hand, often involves less culpable mental states, such as reckless behavior or emotional disturbance, rather than a calculated decision to kill. Second degree murder involves intent to kill without prior planning, which differentiates it from first degree murder. Felony murder is a specific rule where a killing occurs during the commission of a felony, regardless of premeditation, indicating that the intent does not directly correspond to the act of murder itself. Thus, the clear premeditated intent aligns definitively with the criteria for first degree murder.