<P> Louisiana states that homicide in the first degree is killing of a human being with intent . There are other specific circumstances that may contribute, such as killing a police officer or firefighter . Either of these offenses, or the killing of more than one person, is an automatic first degree charge . Louisiana provides for life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty for murder . </P> <P> In Michigan, a person is found guilty of first degree murder when murder is perpetrated by means of poison, lying in wait, or any other willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing . In Michigan, first degree murder carries an automatic life sentence without parole . </P> <P> In Nevada first degree murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought, either expressed or implied . If a killer is found guilty with aggravating circumstances, such as killing someone via torture or killing a stranger with no apparent motive, they may receive the death penalty, or life without parole . </P> <P> In the State of Washington, a person is found guilty of first degree murder when there is a premeditated intent to cause the death of another person . Murder in the first degree is a class A felony . If a person is convicted of first degree murder, he or she will receive a life sentence . If an aggravating circumstance exists in addition to first degree murder, the defendant can be charged with aggravated first - degree murder, which carries only two possible sentences: death or life without parole . Aggravating factors include the killing of a law enforcement officer, murder for hire, or murder committed during the course of kidnapping, rape, robbery, burglary, or arson, or for multiple murders . </P>

Parole is the most common form of criminal sentencing in the united states