Chandler Manslaughter Lawyers
In Arizona, there are 5 ways someone could be charged with the crime of manslaughter as defined in ARS § 13-1103.
- Recklessly causing the death of another person.
- Committing second-degree murder as prescribed in section 13-1104, subsection A on a sudden quarrel or heat of passion resulting from adequate provocation by the victim.
- Intentionally providing the physical means that another person uses to die by suicide, with the knowledge that the person intends to die by suicide.
- Committing second-degree murder as prescribed in section 13-1104, subsection A, paragraph 3, while being coerced to do so by the use or threatened immediate use of unlawful deadly physical force on the person or a third person that a reasonable person in his situation would have been unable to resist.
- Knowingly or recklessly causing the death of an unborn child by any physical injury to the mother.
Punishments for a manslaughter conviction
Punishments for a first-time conviction for manslaughter are a minimum of 7 years in prison, with a presumptive term of 10.5 years, and a maximum of 21 years in prison.
If the person has one allegeable historical prior dangerous felony conviction, then the range of “prison only” is 14 years minimum, 15.75 years presumptive, and 28 years maximum of incarceration.
If the person has two allegeable historical prior dangerous felony convictions, then the “prison only” mandatory minimum punishment is 21 years, the presumptive is 28 years, and the maximum is 35 years of incarceration.
Manslaughter is a class 2 felony. Next to murder, it is one of the most serious crimes someone can be charged with. The main difference between manslaughter and murder is that with manslaughter, premeditation or malice was not involved. There are many defenses that can be used to defend a manslaughter charge. Because there is a fine line between criminal negligence and reckless conduct, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to negotiate a plea to negligent homicide (Class 4 felony) instead of manslaughter; or even secure a dismissal in the case.
Experience matters
If you have been charged with manslaughter in Arizona, it is crucial that you consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. You do not want to roll the dice with what could be decades of your life on an attorney with little to no experience in handling manslaughter cases.
The lawyers at the Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm have decades of experience representing people who have been charged with the crime of manslaughter. We are not afraid to take your case to trial and have also defended people against death penalty allegations at trial in other states as well.
If you have been charged with manslaughter or any type of homicide crime in Arizona, contact the Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm in Chandler, AZ or call our office at 480-755-7110 to schedule a Strategy Session to discuss your case.
Arizona Office Address:
3185 S. Price Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85248
Phone: 480-755-7110
