Whether you are charged with murder or manslaughter, your case requires a criminal defense attorney who has been defending clients against these serious charges for years. Experience can make a huge difference in plea negotiations and at trial, especially when the charges involve homicide.
Murder is a felony that can lead to life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty. However, there are a variety of ways that you can have charges lessened or dropped entirely.
The first thing that you need to do if you have been charged with murder is to hire an experienced Alexandria VA murder defense attorney. This will give you an advantage during the process and provide peace of mind throughout the entire ordeal.
In some cases, it is possible to have your charges dropped altogether if you can prove that the killing wasn’t premeditated. This is often the case when someone kills another in the heat of passion, and they didn’t think it through ahead of time.
Another way that you can have your charges dropped is to prove that you killed the victim due to self-defense. This is a common type of defense and it works when the defendant was in a situation where they were required to kill the person in order to keep others safe.
The defense can also work if the victim was trying to kill you or if they were trying to stop you from doing something illegal. It’s important to be sure that you are able to prove this, as it will help to make your case stronger in the courtroom and to avoid a conviction.
Other types of murders that can be defended include attempted murder and false confessions. In these cases, the police may try to coerce you into confessing to a crime that you didn’t commit. This can be a very difficult task to defend against, but it is possible with the right legal counsel.
A third common defense for murders is emotional disturbance. This is an argument that a person was under extreme emotional duress at the time of the killing and that they were acting on their feelings of distress.
Defending against this charge is extremely complex and can require an extensive amount of detective work on your part. You will also need to present your defenses in front of a jury, and the evidence that they see can be crucial.
Your lawyer will be able to evaluate all of the evidence and make a determination as to what strategy should be used in your defense. They will also be able to review your background and determine if there are any underlying issues that might help you in your defense.
In addition to assisting with the legal aspect of your case, your Alexandria murder defense attorney should be able to advise you on how to protect yourself and your loved ones during this stressful ordeal. Your lawyer can be of great assistance when it comes to negotiating with the police or prosecutors, and he or she should be able to explain your rights and what you can do to ensure that they are protected.