What is the difference between felony murder and attempted murder?
In California, felony murder and attempted murder are both serious criminal offenses. However, there are distinct differences between the two. Felony murder is a type of homicide that occurs when someone is killed as a result of a dangerous or perilous felony such as robbery or burglary. The criminal who commits the felony is held accountable for all deaths that result, even if they didn’t actually take part in the killing. Attempted murder, on the other hand, is a crime in which an individual intentionally tries to kill another person. It does not matter whether the other person is actually killed or not; the fact that the perpetrator intended to take a life is considered an aggravated offense and can lead to harsher penalties. To be charged with felony murder in California, the perpetrator must have deliberately acted in a way that resulted in a death. Whereas with attempted murder, the defendant doesn’t need to actually kill anyone in order to be convicted. Rather, it is enough to prove that the intent to kill existed. Both crimes can result in severe criminal charges and potentially long prison sentences.
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