Pinellas Park Murder/Manslaughter Lawyer
Any unlawful killing of another person can result in a murder or manslaughter charge. Suspects should call our law firm as soon as they find out they are a person of interest. These cases often hinge on evidence that defendants inadvertently turn over or incriminating statements they accidentally make. By hiring a lawyer, you can protect your liberty and improve the odds of winning this case.
Call The Reep Law Firm today. A Pinellas Park murder/manslaughter lawyer can discuss how to defend against these charges.
How the State Classifies Murder & Manslaughter
Murder is the more serious offense, but both can send a defendant to jail for decades. The main differences involve the mindset of the defendant or the surrounding circumstances.
Murder can be a capital felony in the following situations:
- The defendant planned the murder in a premeditated fashion. For example, a person who lies in wait in someone’s closet to shoot them has committed premeditated murder.
- The defendant killed someone while committing a violent felony like robbery or rape. This is also a capital felony even if the killing wasn’t premeditated. The fact that the death happened during a violent felony is sufficient for the most severe penalties.
- The defendant distributed certain drugs which ended up killing the victim.
Second degree murder typically consists of killing someone when their actions exhibit a depraved mind. This is a life felony.
Generally, manslaughter charges often stem from criminal negligence, which is a lesser standard. Someone whose actions show a disregard for the safety of others has committed manslaughter.
How to Defend Against These Charges
Many murder defendants make critical mistakes which can lead to their conviction and imprisonment. We recommend:
- Don’t consent to a search of your home, car, or personal effects. Make the state get a search warrant before they riffle through your papers or search your computer.
- Never answer police questions without a lawyer present. You can actually say, “I don’t want to talk. I want to talk with a lawyer.” They should respect this request.
- Do not consent to a blood sample or DNA test. Again, force the state to get a warrant if they want to draw blood.
- Avoid relying on a public defender to represent you. They are overworked and often unable to comb through the evidence to find exculpatory evidence. Because you face such serious charges, you need someone who can commit fully to your case.
If you avoid these mistakes, you improve your odds of success. Call The Reep Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
You Deserve a Strong Defense
Call our office today to speak with a Pinellas Park murder/manslaughter lawyer. We can make different arguments depending on the circumstances. For example, you might have engaged in self defense after being attacked. You shouldn’t go to prison for defending yourself or even defending someone else who was attacked.
In other situations, we might simply argue there is insufficient evidence. Let us begin reviewing the state’s evidence. If hired, we can also begin searching for exculpatory evidence on our own.
