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Homicide charges can be brought against you when you are responsible for causing the death of another human being. You could also be charged with attempting to cause someone’s death. Both homicide and attempted homicide could lead to serious charges, potentially including the death penalty or life imprisonment.
While many defendants accused of homicide are charged by state authorities, the federal penal code also addresses homicide offenses.
If you have been accused of committing homicide and you are facing federal charges, you should work with an experienced attorney to understand what a federal prosecutor needs to prove and what penalties you could be looking at after a guilty verdict.
Being accused of homicide does not mean you will be convicted. You need to make sure you have an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer who knows homicide laws, who has experience representing clients in federal court, and who understands the ins-and-outs of building a defense to a federal case.
If you live in Arizona, Utah, Oregon, California, or Nevada, LV Criminal Defense is a federal criminal defense law firm you can trust to help you develop the best response to homicide charges. We have a long, successful track record of representing clients accused of serious federal offenses and we can often help clients to get acquitted or significantly reduce penalties.
Because homicide is so serious, the stakes are high if you’re accused to causing a death or trying to cause a death. You should reach out to LV Criminal Defense as soon as you can after becoming aware you’re being investigated or after you’re arrested.
Nick Wooldridge has a long track record of representing clients accused of serious federal and state crimes in Nevada.
Our firm can help you to try to suppress evidence so it can’t be used to secure conviction; to develop a defense strategy; or to negotiate a deal to face reduced charges as a result of a plea bargain. To determine which approach is best and to get a committed advocate on your side, give us a call today.
While most people charged with homicide face state charges, 18 U.S. Code Chapter 51 defines what types of criminal behavior can result in federal homicide charges. There are a total of 12 statutes within Chapter 51 that define federal homicide offenses. These include:
It’s important to understand the specific elements of the crime you’ve been accused of committing if you’re charged with an offense made illegal in 18 U.S. Code Chapter 51. For example, if you are charged with murder, a prosecutor needs to prove each element of the crime defined within 18 U.S. Code section 1111.
According to 18 U.S. Code section 1111, murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. If a prosecutor cannot prove that you acted with malice aforethought, you cannot be convicted of this most serious offense. The statute makes clear that if a murder is committed by poison, by lying in wait, or during crimes such as espionage, sexual abuse, burglary, arson, or other specified offenses, then a defendant can be charged with murder in the first degree. In other circumstances where a human being is unlawfully killed with malice aforethought but there is no evidence the killing was premeditated, then the defendant could be charged with second degree murder.
Manslaughter, on the other hand, is defined in 18 U.S. Code section 1112 as the unlawful killing of another person but without malice. There are two types of manslaughter defined within the statute: involuntary and voluntary. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a defendant kills someone intentionally in the heat of passion or upon a sudden quarrel, while involuntary manslaughter occurs if a defendant kills someone while engaging in an unlawful act that doesn’t rise to the level of a felony or if a defendant kills someone while acting without due caution and circumspection while performing a lawful act that could cause death.
When I initially met with Mr. Wooldridge, he took the opportunity to sit and go over my problem with me. He described details in my case which he found disturbing and explained why he I should have him on my side.
A federal defense lawyer will help defendants understand the difference and determine exactly what must be proved.
5 Star30 reviewsWhen you are facing federal charges for homicide, it is important to understand the specific elements of what a prosecutor has to prove and to develop the right legal strategy given the details of your situation. LV Criminal Defense helps you to understand how the statutes in 18 U.S. Code Chapter 51 affect what a prosecutor must demonstrate in your particular case. We will work closely with you to evaluate the evidence against you, to decide if a prosecutor could prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and to investigate your case to find exculpatory evidence.
Based on the specifics of your situation, our federal criminal defense attorneys will help you to develop the best response to charges, which could include negotiating a plea deal or fighting conviction. We will also work with you to implement that strategy, standing up for you in court or negotiating on your behalf with prosecutors.
Our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team will be by your side throughout the entirety of your involvement with the criminal justice system, so give us a call today to get help.
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