Arkansas § 5-10-101 - Capital murder.

Full text of Arkansas Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 5-10-101 — Capital murder., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5-10-101. Capital murder.

A person commits capital murder if: Acting alone or with one (1) or more other persons: The person commits or attempts to commit: Terrorism, as defined in § 5-54-205; Rape, § 5-14-103; Kidnapping, § 5-11-102; Vehicular piracy, § 5-11-105; Robbery, § 5-12-102; Aggravated robbery, § 5-12-103; Residential burglary, § 5-39-201(a); Commercial burglary, § 5-39-201(b); Aggravated residential burglary, § 5-39-204; A felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, §§ 5-64-101 — 5-64-508, involving an actual delivery of a controlled substance; or First degree escape, § 5-54-110; and In the course of and in furtherance of the felony or in immediate flight from the felony, the person or an accomplice causes the death of a person under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; Acting alone or with one (1) or more other persons: The person commits or attempts to commit arson, § 5-38-301; and In the course of and in furtherance of the felony or in immediate flight from the felony, the person or an accomplice causes the death of any person; With the premeditated and deliberated purpose of causing the death of any law enforcement officer, jailer, prison official, firefighter, judge or other court official, probation officer, parole officer, any military personnel, or teacher or school employee, when such person is acting in the line of duty, the person causes the death of any person; With the premeditated and deliberated purpose of causing the death of another person, the person causes the death of any person; With the premeditated and deliberated purpose of causing the death of the holder of any public office filled by election or appointment or a candidate for public office, the person causes the death of any person; While incarcerated in the Division of Correction or the Division of Community Correction, the person purposely causes the death of another person after premeditation and deliberation; Pursuant to an agreement that the person cause the death of another person in return for anything of value, he or she causes the death of any person; The person enters into an agreement in which a person is to cause the death of another person in return for anything of value, and a person hired pursuant to the agreement causes the death of any person; Under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, the person knowingly causes the death of a person fourteen (14) years of age or younger at the time the murder was committed if the defendant was eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time the murder was committed. It is an affirmative defense to any prosecution under this subdivision (a)(9) arising from the failure of the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to provide specified medical or surgical treatment, that the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis relied solely on spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of an established church or religious denomination of which he or she is a member; or The person: Purposely discharges a firearm from a vehicle at a person or at a vehicle, conveyance, or a residential or commercial occupiable structure that he or she knows or has good reason to believe to be occupied by a person; and Thereby causes the death of another person under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life. It is an affirmative defense to any prosecution under subdivision (a)(1) of this section for an offense in which the defendant was not the only participant that the defendant did not commit the homicidal act or in any way solicit, command, induce, procure, counsel, or aid in the homicidal act's commission. Capital murder is punishable as follows: If the defendant was eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time he or she committed the capital murder: Death; or Life imprisonment without parole under §§ 5-4-601 — 5-4-605, 5-4-607, and 5-4-608; or If the defendant was younger than eighteen (18) years of age at the time he or she committed the capital murder, life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of thirty (30) years' imprisonment. For any purpose other than disposition under §§ 5-4-101 — 5-4-104, 5-4-201 — 5-4-204, 5-4-301 — 5-4-307, 5-4-401 — 5-4-404, 5-4-501 — 5-4-504, 5-4-601 — 5-4-605, 5-4-607, 5-4-608, 16-93-307, 16-93-313, and 16-93-314, capital murder is a Class Y felony.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas § 5-10-101

What does Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 5-10-101 cover?

Section 5-10-101 ("Capital murder.") is part of the Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Arkansas. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Arkansas § 5-10-101?

A common citation format is "Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 5-10-101" (Arkansas). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Arkansas law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Arkansas official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Arkansas attorney.

How does Arkansas § 5-10-101 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Arkansas can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Arkansas.