Miami Homicide Lawyer
Homicide refers to the unlawful killing of another person. Many different criminal acts may constitute homicide and each different potential homicide charge has its own elements that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt for the prosecutor to secure a conviction. Fortunately, there are several ways to defend against homicide charges in Florida criminal court, so you should not delay in consulting with a highly experienced defense lawyer if you have been accused of a homicide.
The criminal defense lawyers at the Baez Law Firm in Miami have extensive knowledge of Florida homicide laws and work to develop effective defense strategies in each case they take. No criminal case is too serious for us to handle, so please call our Miami homicide lawyers for a free consultation to learn more today.
Homicide Charges in Miami
There are several different types of homicide charges defined under Florida law, including the following:
- Murder — Murder generally refers to the depraved killing of another person, whether the killing was premeditated or not. Murder can also be applied in cases that involve a killing that occurs in the process of another serious felony crime. Murder is charged as either first, second, or third degree and a first degree murder conviction can lead to capital punishment.
- Voluntary manslaughter — While voluntary manslaughter is an intentional killing, it does not require a depraved mind or premeditation. Instead, voluntary manslaughter usually applies when a person kills another in fit of passion, rage, or another emotion. A conviction can lead to a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
- Involuntary manslaughter — Involuntary manslaughter is an unintentional killing that occurs because the offender had an apparent reckless disregard for human life, also referred to legally as “culpable negligence.” A conviction can result in a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
- Vehicular homicide — Vehicular homicide is similar to involuntary manslaughter, as it requires the reckless driving of a motor vehicle with a disregard for the safety of others. This crime is punishable by 15 years in prison or more if the offender left the scene of the accident.
Aggressive Defense in Homicide Cases
Prosecutors mount aggressive cases against individuals suspected of homicide, therefore defendants in such cases require an equally aggressive defense strategy. The most common defense in a homicide case is that of self-defense, which states that a person is justified in using deadly force against another person if they are in fear of imminent serious bodily harm. Another common defense is that a killing happened by accident without any recklessness, culpable negligence, malice, or intent. Our lawyers can determine which defenses to raise in your case through careful investigation and legal analysis.
Discuss your Case with a Miami Homicide Defense Lawyer as Soon as Possible
Anyone who has been accused of any type of homicide charge should never wait to seek help from a highly skilled and knowledgeable homicide defense lawyer. The Miami Homicide Defense Lawyers at the Baez Law Firm have helped many clients facing extremely serious criminal charges, so please call for a free consultation 24/7 at 800-588-BAEZ.
