Largo Murder/Manslaughter Lawyer
Murder is the most serious crime in Florida. Anyone charged with the unlawful killing of another person needs an established law firm to defend them. Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff has the resources and experience to defend clients charged with one of these crimes. Reach out today to speak with our Largo murder/manslaughter lawyer in a private consultation.
How Florida Classifies Murder
Homicide has different degrees:
- First-degree murder: Any murder which is premeditated is a first-degree murder. Felony murder is also first degree if a death occurs while you commit a violent felony, such as arson, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, terrorism, carjacking, and other crimes.
- Second-degree murder: Typically, second degree murder is a killing done with a depraved mind but without premeditation. You can also face second-degree murder charges if you commit a violent felony and during the commission someone else causes a death.
- Third-degree murder: In Florida, a third degree murder is one that happens while you commit a non-violent felony.
There are certain defenses we can raise to any murder charge, but the correct one will depend on the strength of evidence. The state often relies on eyewitness statements which tie you to the scene of the crime. Or the state has physical links, including fingerprints on a murder weapon or DNA on the victim’s body.
This evidence is not as “open and shut” as the prosecution typically believes. For example, being at the scene of the crime might mean no more than you witnessing someone else commit the murder. Your fingerprints at the scene only mean you visited there in the days leading up to the homicide.
Many people accused of murder make incriminating statements. The police can use these against the defendant in most cases. Contact a lawyer promptly if you are being questioned by the police. There is no reason to hand evidence to the state on a silver platter.
Defining Manslaughter
An unlawful killing might be charged as manslaughter instead of murder. Manslaughter is often committed with criminal negligence, e.g., the defendant is aware of risks but continues with their course of conduct anyway.
This is a less serious criminal charge, reflecting the less serious circumstances surrounding the death. Nonetheless, manslaughter can be charged as a second-degree felony, leading to a maximum of 15 years in prison.
A defendant might face aggravated manslaughter charges if they kill a minor, elderly person, or disabled adult. This is a first-degree felony.
Defending manslaughter charges will depend on what happened. We might argue that your actions didn’t lead to the death, in which case you can’t face criminal penalties. Or we might argue your negligence does not rise to the level of being criminal.
Call Our Largo Murder / Manslaughter Lawyer Today
Anyone facing murder or manslaughter charges should hire their own attorney. An overworked public defender does not have the time to fully commit to your case, and evidence can slip through the cracks. So much is on the line—possibly decades in prison—that you owe it to yourself to hire your own legal team.
Contact Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff today. A Largo murder/manslaughter lawyer can immediately get started defending you.
