what is first degree murders mean

First-degree murder is the most serious form of murder, and it involves the intentional killing of another person by someone who has acted willfully, deliberately, or with planning. In California, for example, any murders that are committed with intent and premeditation are classified as first-degree murder. The exact definition of first-degree murder may vary by jurisdiction, but most state penal codes require that a prosecutor establish willfulness, deliberation, and premeditation in order to convict a defendant of first-degree murder. The prosecutor must show that the defendant acted with the intent to kill another person, and the death cannot have been accidental. The punishment for first-degree murder is severe, and it can include the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.