Under state law, homicide means unlawfully killing another person and includes deaths caused by both intentional and unintentional acts. A homicide charge could affect your freedom, reputation, and finances. In some cases, it could also cost you your life.
Homicide is a serious offense, and seeking good legal representation is crucial to your defense. To protect yourself and your legal rights, you should consult a Fort Pierce homicide lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled criminal defense attorney from Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates who understands and has extensive experience with violent crime cases could provide you with the comprehensive representation you need to build a strong defense.
Different Types of Intentional Death Charges
If an intentional act caused the death, the state could file murder charges, which carry the most severe penalties.
First-Degree Murder
A defendant could face first-degree murder charges if an unlawful, premeditated act caused the killing. The prosecution does not need to prove that the premeditation involved a lengthy or detailed plan—only that the accused decided to kill another person. For example, if someone talks to another person and suddenly decides to kill them, that decision could constitute first-degree murder, even if the premeditation was brief and not part of the original intent. Forming a plan to kill, even quickly, could be enough to justify a first-degree murder charge.
People can also face first-degree murder charges for felony murders, which occur when a death results from another felony. For example, a person may die while someone raids their home.
A first-degree murder conviction could result in life in prison, without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-degree murder occurs when someone unlawfully kills another person without premeditation. This could happen when a person with a depraved mind commits an act that creates imminent danger to others. If an accomplice causes a death while the defendant commits another felony, that also constitutes second-degree murder.
A second-degree murder conviction could result in a maximum sentence of life with parole.
Third-Degree Murder
Third-degree murder occurs when someone unintentionally kills another person while committing or attempting to commit a non-violent felony. A third-degree murder conviction could result in up to 15 years in prison.
A skilled criminal defense lawyer from our firm in Fort Pierce could build a strong defense and aggressively fight murder charges.
Unintentional Deaths
If an unintentional act caused the death, the state would likely file manslaughter charges against the accused.
Manslaughter charges apply when someone kills another person through intentional or reckless negligence. In these cases, the prosecution does not need to prove that the defendant intended to kill the other person.
Different degrees of manslaughter carry significantly different penalties, depending on whether the killing was voluntary or involuntary and other factors. For example, using a firearm to commit the crime could lead to a prison sentence of up to 30 years. Without a firearm, a conviction could result in a maximum of 15 years in prison.
An experienced Fort Pierce attorney could review the manslaughter homicide charges and craft a solid defense strategy.
Speak to a Criminal Defense Attorney in Fort Pierce Today
Homicide is a serious crime, and a good defense requires an experienced legal team. If you are facing homicide charges, the attorneys at Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates are familiar with violent crime cases and could help you build a successful defense strategy.
Contact our office and speak to a Fort Pierce homicide lawyer today during a free consultation.
