Is it murder when one causes the death of an unborn child

[ShyGuyInChicago]

If a pregnant woman is killed or she is attacked and it causes a miscarriage or stillbirth should it be considered as much a murder as it would be. Does whether the unborn child is killed at a stage where it is viable matter?

[Rainstorm]

Now, if it was a freak accident and say the mother fell and had a miscarriage, then no, she should not be charged with the murder of a child.

But, if said mother is attacked and the child is killed, then yes, a murder charge should be in place. I've seen it done in my state a couple times.

[Obscene Eyedeas]

If a pregnant woman is killed or she is attacked and it causes a miscarriage or stillbirth should it be considered as much a murder as it would be. Does whether the unborn child is killed at a stage where it is viable matter?

No, as it is a fetus, technically a parasite. It is not a human being as of that moment and unless harm was wished upon the woman so as to cause a miscarriage nothing should be done. In that case they should be charged with assault against the woman, attempted murder if they tried to kill her

[Amnesiac]

It depends on what stage of pregnancy the woman is in. Earlier stages aren't murder, but later are.

[huginnmuninn]

It depends on what stage of pregnancy the woman is in. Earlier stages aren't murder, but later are.

why does it depend on which stage of pregnancy the woman is in?

[Amnesiac]

why does it depend on which stage of pregnancy the woman is in?

If we were going to count the deaths of unborn children as murder, we'd have to follow what abortion law says is life and what isn't. Earlier stages of pregnancy, when the fetus is not developed, are when abortions are fully allowed. The baby isn't considered "life". Later stages, when the fetus is almost fully developed, are when abortion isn't allowed unless circumstances are dire. This is when the baby is considered "life".

[Perseus]

Yes, since the woman wanted the baby.

[huginnmuninn]

i agree keeping it with the abortion laws but i disagree with what is considered life

[Amnesiac]

i agree keeping it with the abortion laws but i disagree with what is considered life

Well, that's what abortion law says. You and I may disagree with it, but if you want to have fair and balanced laws you have to stick to the definitions.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

Keep in mind that in America many of the laws concerning the murders of unborn children have been challenged on the grounds of Roe. v. Wade, but all such challenges were rejected.

[Dive to Survive]

I think that if the mother was attacked then it should be considered murder no matter the stage that the child is in.

[Obscene Eyedeas]

I think that if the mother was attacked then it should be considered murder no matter the stage that the child is in.

why? what is your reasoning behind this?

[Dive to Survive]

When someone is attacking a woman and a child is killed, it's murder. Killing people=murder