Tallahassee Homicide Attorney
Murder comes in all shapes and sizes, and can be intentional and malicious, or accidental and without reason. However, despite the many packages that murder can come in, one thing is always certain when the intentional or negligent killing of another human being is involved: the punishment is severe and can have a negative impact on the rest of your life. If you are charged with homicide in any capacity, including capital murder, murder, or involuntary manslaughter, in the state of Florida, you stand to lose years of your life in prison, or, because Florida is a death penalty state, your life entirely. Because the stakes are so high, it is imperative that you seek the legal representation of a Tallahassee homicide attorney.
The Differences Between Murder and Manslaughter
Murder is the intentional and unlawful killing of one human being by another, and is done with malice aforethought. Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of one human being by another, but it lacks malice aforethought.
- Murder: In Florida, there are three degrees of murder:
- First Degree Murder, which entails premeditation and the intent to kill;
- Felony Murder, which is also charged as a first degree murder in Florida, and which is the unlawful killing of one human being by another while in the act of committing a felony, or while attempting to commit a felony.;
- Second Degree Murder, which entails the lack of premeditation or aforethought, but that occurs due to the defendant’s enmity toward the victim, or when the defendant had an ongoing interaction or relationship to the victim, and in which the defendant acted with a depraved mind; and
- Third Degree Murder, which entails the unintentional killing of another human being that occurred while the defendant was committing, or attempting to commit, a non-violent felony.
- Manslaughter: There are several types of manslaughter that a person can be charged with, including but not limited to:
- Involuntary Manslaughter, which is the unintentional homicide from criminally negligent or reckless conduct, or the unintentional killing that results from the commission of a non-felony crime;
- Voluntary Manslaughter, which is when a murder charge is reduced due to mitigating circumstances, such as a killing that occurs in the heat of passion; and
- Vehicular Manslaughter, which occurs when a person is killed in a vehicle accident in which the at-fault driver had no intention to kill or cause serious bodily harm, but in which the at-fault driver was operating the vehicle with criminal, or gross, negligence.
- Your Defense to Murder and Manslaughter in Tallahassee
There are several viable defenses to murder or manslaughter that an experienced Tallahassee homicide attorney can utilize. Some of the most successful defenses to murder include:
- Justifiable killing / self-defense;
- Insanity and diminished capacity, including mental disorder or impairment; and
- Heat of passion.
Contact Our Experienced Tallahassee Homicide Attorneys Today
At Zelman Law, our Tallahassee homicide attorney has a long history of success in helping those accused of murder or manslaughter reduce their charges, or have them dismissed entirely. Murder and manslaughter are very serious crimes that carry very serious punishments. If convicted, your entire future may be ruined. Your best chance of saving your future begins by picking up the phone and calling Zelman Law today. Call our office at (850) 765-5948 between 8:00 and 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday. If it is after hours, contact us online to reserve your appointment.
