Most people think that murder charges can only be brought against someone who directly caused another person’s death. In Illinois, even if you did not pull the trigger, you can still be charged with murder. If you help or take part in a crime that leads to someone’s death, you could face serious charges, including first-degree murder. A skilled Illinois criminal defense lawyer can explain why and what you can do about it.
Illinois Law and Murder Charges
There are various ways you can end up facing murder charges even if you did not do anything that directly ended someone else’s life.
The Felony Murder Rule
In Illinois, when someone dies while a felony is committed, for example, during a burglary or robbery, anyone involved in that crime can be charged with murder – even if they did not intend for anyone to die.