Apparently Immanuel Can't back up what he pretends to know. You should make certain you are correct before you speak with such authority. Don't hate Jim for being correct.
Homicide is a general classification of crimes in which death of a human being occurs at the time or later due to some action or lack of action at the time of the crime.
In most states the Homicide statutes include Murder in various degrees, manslaughter in degrees to include Vehicular Homicide, manslaughter etc.
In Massachusetts the laws show you to be mistaken as do most.
No crime seems to capture public attention more than murder. Actually, in Massachusetts the correct term is homicide-the killing of another human being. Yet, statistically speaking, homicide is, thankfully, a very small slice of the overall violent crime picture.
For example, in 1998 (the most recent year for which online statistics are available) there were just over 38,000 arrests for violent crimes (homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) in Massachusetts. Only 124 of those arrests were for the crime of homicide. Thus, fewer than .003% of all violent crime arrests in Massachusetts in 1998 involved homicide.
A Brief Overview of Massachusetts Homicide Law
Massachusetts law defines a homicide as the willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another. There are two categories of criminal homicide under Massachusetts law-murder and manslaughter. There are also different classifications of murder and manslaughter. Which homicide crime has been committed (and the punishment that can or must be imposed) generally depends on the manner in which the crime was committed and the intent on the part of the perpetrator.
Classifications of Murder Punishment
First Degree Murder Life, without possibility of parole
Second Degree Murder Life, parole elegibility after 15 years
Classifications of Manslaughter Punishment
Voluntary Manslaughter State prison up to 20 years; plus fines
Involuntary Manslaughter State prison up to 20 years; plus fines
Vehicular Homicide State prison up to 20 years; plus fines
Massachusetts Homicide Statistics
For statistics on Massachusetts' homicides, go to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) Web Page
state.ma.us National Homicide Statistics
For information on homicide cases in the United States,
go to the Department of Justice Web Page
ojp.usdoj.gov
For information on age patterns in homicide cases in the United States,
go to the Department of Justice Key Facts at a Glance Web Page
ojp.usdoj.gov
For information on U.S. homicides involving weapons,
go to the Department of Justice Key Facts at a Glance Web Page
ojp.usdoj.gov
Information and Resources
For additional information on homicide, visit one of the following Web sites:
Bureau of Justice Statistics Website: Homicide Trends in the U.S.
This site contains a series of charts that describe homicide patterns and trends in the United States since 1976 including demographics, special groups, location and other categories.
Available at: ojp.usdoj.gov
Homicide Research Working Group
The Homicide Research Working group's objectives are to encourage more efficient sharing of techniques for measuring and analyzing homicide; to promote improved data quality and the linking of diverse homicide data sources; and to generate a stronger working relationship among homicide researchers.
Available at: icpsr.umich.edu
Vehicular Homicide
A Brief Overview of Massachusetts Vehicular Homicide Law
<Vehicular Homicide While Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Drugs and While Operating To Endanger Mandatory minimum 2 ½ years and up to 15 years in state prison or mandatory minimum 1 year and up to 2 ½ years in jail; plus fines*
Vehicular Homicide While Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Drugs or While Operating To Endanger Mandatory minimum 30 days and up to 2 1/2 years in jail; plus fines*
*Also loss of license
Massachusetts Vehicular Homicide Statistics (1998): 1998 alcohol-related statistics for Massachusetts
All traffic fatalities Alcohol-related fatalities % Alcohol-related
406 192 47.4*%
Statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
National Vehicular Homicide Trends:According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA):
More than 35% of all 16-to-20 year-old deaths result from motor vehicle crashes.
37% of these motor vehicle fatalaties were alcohol-related crashes.
Mr. Thompson appears to be correct and you appear to have pulled your knowledge from some dark place where the sun doesn't shine!
mass.gov |
