A murder charge and a wrongful death claim are fundamentally different, primarily in the court in which they are adjudicated and the nature of the charges. A murder charge is a criminal offense tried in a criminal court. It is brought by the state, and if found guilty, the accused faces penalties like imprisonment, probation, or even death penalty in certain cases. On the other hand, a wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought by the deceased's family or estate against the party they believe to be responsible for the death. It is not about proving criminal guilt but demonstrating liability. If the defendant is found liable, they're typically required to pay monetary damages to the family, not serve jail time.