Murder in Arkansas law

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

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the year 2020, the state had one of the highest murder rates in the country.^[1]

Felony murder rule

In the state of Arkansas, the felony murder rule is defined as a death that is caused "in the course of", "in the furtherance of" or "in the immediate flight" of a felony. These deaths all must exhibit "extreme indifference to the value of human life" to qualify. The following predicate felonies are crimes when causing death automatically qualify the perpetrator for capital punishment in Arkansas:

Terrorism
Rape
Kidnapping
Vehicular piracy
Robbery or aggravated robbery
Residential or aggravated residential burglary
Commercial burglary
Felonies involving delivery of a controlled substance
Escape of the first degree
Arson

This is found in Arkansas Code, under capital punishment.^[2]

The remaining felonies that result in death of another are classified as first degree murder.^[3] This is known as a "Class Y Felony" which carries a minimum prison term of ten years to a maximum of life.^[4] If the defendant was under 18 at the time of offense, a judge sets out a life sentence and they are eligible for parole after 30 years. For the remaining felonies, juveniles are eligible for parole after 25 years.

Penalties

Offense	Mandatory sentencing
Second-degree murder	6 to 30 years in prison
First-degree murder	10 to 40 years in prison or life imprisonment
Capital murder	Death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole

References

^ "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
^ Arkansas Code Ann. Sec. 5-10-101(a)(1) and (2)
^ Arkansas Code Ann. Sec. 5-10-102(a)(1)
^ Arkansas Code Ann. Sec. 5-4-401(a)(1)