Key Largo Homicide Defense Attorney

Experienced Homicide Attorneys Defending Against Murder and Manslaughter Charges in Key Largo, FL

Some of the most serious criminal charges that anyone can face will involve accusations of causing another person's death. These offenses fall under the category of homicide, and people who are convicted of murder or manslaughter may face the possibility of decades in prison, life imprisonment, or, in the most extreme cases, the death penalty. Legal representation can be crucial in these situations, and an attorney who understands how to defend against violent crime accusations can help ensure that a person's rights will be protected.

At Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC, our attorneys have the experience needed to help people in Key Largo and other parts of the Florida Keys who are facing homicide charges. We have spent decades representing clients in local courts, and we know how to build effective defenses against charges of murder or other crimes involving death. We will fight to defend against convictions and help clients resolve these cases successfully.

First-Degree Murder

A person who is accused of killing someone else without legal justification may be charged with murder. In a case that involves claims that a killing was premeditated, and a person is accused of forming an intent to kill before acting, charges of first-degree murder may apply.

Some cases may be referred to as felony murder because they involve accusations that a person killed someone else while they were committing another felony crime. In cases where someone was killed while a person allegedly committed or attempted to commit an offense such as robbery, burglary, carjacking, sexual battery, kidnapping, certain drug crimes, arson, aggravated child abuse, or fleeing from a police officer, first-degree murder charges may apply.

First-degree murder is classified as a capital felony. This is the most serious category of felony, and in most cases, a conviction will result in a life sentence in prison without any possibility that a person could receive parole. Depending on the circumstances involved in a case, prosecutors may ask for the death penalty.

Second-Degree Murder

When a killing occurred in a situation where a person did not have a premeditated plan to commit murder, a person may be charged with second-degree murder. In these cases, prosecutors will need to show that a person engaged in dangerous behavior showing that they had a "depraved mind" and did not pay any consideration to whether their actions could result in someone's death. Charges of second-degree murder may also apply in situations where a person is accused of being involved in an offense where someone else committed felony murder. Second-degree murder is classified as a first-degree felony with a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Third-Degree Murder

A person who is accused of killing someone while committing or attempting to commit an offense other than a crime that would lead to felony murder charges may be charged with third-degree murder. These cases generally involve situations where there was no premeditated intent to kill. Third-degree murder is classified as a second-degree felony, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Manslaughter

A person who has been accused of causing someone else's death through negligence may face charges of manslaughter. These cases may involve accusations of intentional acts that resulted in someone's death but were not premeditated or planned and were not legally justified. They may also involve claims that a person caused someone's death through actions that involved a reckless disregard for human life.

Manslaughter is generally charged as a second-degree felony. A person who is accused of causing the death of a child under the age of 18, an elderly person, an adult with a disability, a police officer, a firefighter, or a paramedic through negligence may be charged with a first-degree felony.

Vehicular Manslaughter

When a person is accused of causing someone's death because they drove a vehicle in a reckless manner, they may be charged with vehicular homicide. These charges will generally involve claims that a person drove in a way that was likely to result in a person's death or cause a severe injury. Most of the time, a person will face second-degree felony charges, but an offense may be elevated to a first-degree felony if a person allegedly committed a hit and run and did not stop to provide assistance or give information to others who were involved in a collision.

Defenses Available in Homicide Cases

Our lawyers can provide guidance on the options available to people who have been charged with murder or homicide. We can determine whether a person acted in self-defense and was justified in using deadly force to protect themselves or others. Florida has a "stand your ground" law that allows for the use of deadly force if a person reasonably believes that doing so is necessary to protect their home and prevent themselves or others from suffering death or great bodily harm. In addition, Florida law states that a person does not have any duty to retreat before using a reasonable level of force.

Other strategies in homicide cases may include challenging whether the prosecution can prove that a killing was premeditated or whether a person had a depraved mind. We may be able to dispute the cause of a person's death and show that our client was not responsible. We may also take steps to show that our client was wrongfully identified, or we can challenge claims made by witnesses as we work to raise reasonable doubt about whether our client committed homicide.

Contact Our Key Largo, FL Homicide Defense Lawyers

Because homicide charges can result in severe penalties, representation from a skilled lawyer can be essential for people who have been accused of unlawfully killing someone. At Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC, we will review the full details of a homicide case, determine whether self-defense or stand your ground laws may apply, and build a defense to help prevent a criminal conviction that could lead to decades behind bars. Contact our Key Largo, Florida homicide defense attorneys at 305-324-7888 to arrange a free consultation.