Murder in Alaska law

For the felony murder rule in all U.S. jurisdictions, see felony murder rule.

Murder in Alaska law constitutes the intentional killing, under circumstances defined by law, of people within or under the jurisdiction of the U.S. state of Alaska.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the year 2020, the state had a murder rate near the median for the entire country.[1]

Felony murder rule

In the state of Alaska, the common law felony murder rule is codified in Alaska Statutes § 11.41.100(a). Alaska's law regarding felony murder is very specific, and unlike most felony murder rule laws, which make all felony crimes that cause murder that of the first degree, delegates some felony murders to second degree murder.

First degree murder

Alaska makes the following offenses equate to first degree murder if they result in death:

• Sexual offenses and kidnapping of a child under 16
• Criminal Mischief in the first degree
• Terroristic Threatening in the first degree

Second degree murder

The following offenses equate to second degree murder if they result in death:

• Arson in the first degree
• All other Kidnapping
• Sexual Assault in the first and second degrees
• Burglary in the first degree
• Escape in the first or second degrees
• Robbery
• Misconduct involving a controlled substance
• Acting to commit a felony with a street gang
• Criminal negligence involving a child under 16, if that person had been convicted before under certain specific crimes involving a child under 16

This is enumerated entirely at Alaska Statute Sec. 11.41.100(a)(2)-(5) (first degree murder) and 11.41.110(a)(3)-(5) (second degree murder).[2][3]

Penalties

Source:[4]

Offense	Mandatory sentencing
Second-degree murder	5–99 years
First-degree murder or second-degree murder of an unborn child	75–99 years
First-degree murder with aggravating factor	99 years (there is no life sentence without parole)

References

1. "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
2. "Alaska Statutes: AS 11.41.100. Murder in the First Degree". www.touchngo.com.
3. "Alaska Statutes: AS 11.41.110. Murder in the Second Degree". www.touchngo.com.
4. "Alaska Statutes: AS 12.55.125. Sentences of Imprisonment For Felonies". Touchngo.com. Retrieved 2012-08-02.