Chandler Homicide Attorney

Homicide broadly defined is, the act of a human killing another person. In Arizona homicide refers to the killing of one person by another, either lawfully or unlawfully, and by some act or failure to act. But there are several other crimes that fall under the main category of homicide crimes.

These other crimes are categorized as:

• Negligent Homicide
• Manslaughter
• Second-Degree Murder
• First-Degree Murder

These crimes range in order of seriousness, with Negligent Homicide being the least serious and First-Degree Murder being the most serious. Even though Negligent Homicide is not as serious as First-Degree Murder, it is still a very serious offense. Homicide crimes are among the most serious of all crimes in Arizona and carry some of the most severe penalties for those who are convicted.

Negligent Homicide – ARS 13-1102 is the negligent killing of someone without understanding the risk of death from your actions. This means your actions were grossly negligent, in a way that a reasonable person would not have conducted themselves in the same way had they been in the same circumstance.

Punishments for Negligent Homicide can range from probation to 8 years in prison.

Manslaughter – ARS 13-1103 could be charged if your actions caused the victim’s death and; your actions were reckless and with no regard to the risks of your actions; you intentionally killed the person in the heat of passion after being provoked; you used more force than allowed by law or you were forced into killing the victim; you assisted and provided the means for someone you knew to commit suicide; you recklessly or knowingly caused a fetus’s death when you injured a pregnant woman; you drove your vehicle while impaired on alcohol or drugs and cased a fatal accident.

Punishments for Manslaughter can range from probation to 7 to 21 years in prison

Second Degree Murder – ARS 13-1104 could be charged if you intentionally killed someone without premeditation, including an unborn fetus; you knew your conduct would likely result in someone’s death or you knowingly caused someone’s death, including an unborn fetus; you acted with extreme indifference to the risk of death when your reckless actions caused the death of someone else, including an unborn fetus.

Punishments for Second-Degree Murder can range from probation to 10 to 25 years in prison.

First Degree Murder – ARS 13-1105 could be charged if you intentionally killed another person with premeditation. If the person was pregnant at the time, you could be charged with two counts of First-Degree Murder.

Punishments for First-Degree Murder can range from Life in Prison to the Death Penalty.

In Arizona, a homicide conviction carries significant penalties, and the state will regularly seek the death penalty in many first-degree murder cases. In many cases, it will be the mental state of the accused that will be at issue. Often, self-defense can be asserted as a legal justification to a murder charge. There are also several other legal defenses that apply to all varieties of homicide charges. Homicide crimes can be complex and difficult to defend. When facing any variety of homicide charge, it is crucial to hire a criminal defense attorney who has several decades of experience with homicide crimes.

The lawyers at the Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm have represented many clients charged with First degree murder, Second degree murder, Manslaughter, and Negligent homicide. We are not afraid to take such cases to trial. Indeed, we have represented many people on First degree murder charges at jury trials. We are highly experienced in murder cases, and even defended several people against death penalty allegations at trial in other states. Experience matters.

If you have been charged with any type of homicide crime in Chandler, AZ, contact the Attorneys for Freedom or call our office at 480-755-7110 to schedule a Strategy Session to discuss your case. Don’t trust your freedom to just any criminal defense attorney.

Arizona Office Address:
3185 S. Price Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85248
Phone: 480-755-7110