Second Degree Murder Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Second Degree Murder.

Second Degree Murder (noun)

Second Degree Murder refers to an act of causing someone's death, but without any prior intent or plan to kill them. This type of murder happens as a result of a dangerous act, which may not be initially aimed to kill, but ultimately leads to death. An example is when someone shoots a person in the knee to cause harm, without intending to cause death. But if the victim dies due to excessive bleeding because they didn't receive medical help in time, it is considered Second Degree Murder.