Facing murder charges or unlawfully taking the life of someone else is among the most severe charges you can face. A conviction would be mandatory prison sentencing or, depending on the circumstances, could mean the possibility of facing the death sentence.
You must take the case seriously if you are under investigation or face charges of murder. A DeKalb County murder lawyer could guide you through the legal process and come up with the best possible defense for your case. Schedule a meeting with one of our hard-working criminal defense attorneys for help with your case.
Different Types of Murder Offenses
A person can face murder charges when the state alleges they intentionally and maliciously caused the death of someone else. The charges can also result from a person suffering fatal injuries while someone else is in the commission of a felony.
The deliberate act of taking the life of another is express malice. A person the criminal court finds guilty of murder faces the potential of punishment by death, life imprisonment without parole, or life or 30 years in prison. The different types of murder offenses people can face in the state include:
Murder
When the state accuses a person of unlawfully and intentionally causing the death of another, they could charge them with murder. According to the guidance of the Official Code of Georgia § 16-5-1, an individual is guilty of committing murder when they carry out actions that cause the death of another with express or implied malice.
Malice Murder
When the state charges someone with malice murder, they assert they maliciously planned to kill another. The time frame they allege the person prepared to carry out the murder does not have to meet any requirements and could be within a few minutes before carrying out the act.
Malice is a deliberate and unlawful intent to kill someone without justification. A conviction could mean facing punishment by death or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Felony Murder
Felony murder occurs when someone in the commission of a dangerous felony causes another to sustain fatal injuries. An example of felony murder is carrying out a robbery that results in the death of someone present on the scene. A guilty conviction is punishable by life without the possibility of parole or possibly with the possibility of parole after serving 30 years of a sentence.
Second Degree Murder
A person who causes the death of another while in the commission of carrying out acts of cruelty against children is guilty of murder in the second degree. A guilty conviction will result in spending no less than 30 years in prison. A DeKalb County attorney could go through each type of offense and answer specific questions about the murder charge and potential penalties.
Possible Defense Strategies
The proper defense strategy depends on the case specifics. However, some of the potential options include the following:
- Insanity
- Self-defense
- Defense of others
- Mistaken identity
- Lack of malice in their actions
- Accidental actions leading to the death of another person
A DeKalb County lawyer specializing in murder cases could strategize a defense and take the case to trial to fight for a person’s freedom and rights.
Schedule to Meet With a Seasoned Murder Attorney in DeKalb County
A murder conviction could mean changing the course of your life and losing your freedom and future. Therefore, preparing to fight the charges is crucial.
A Dekalb County murder lawyer could investigate and review your cause of arrest to help strategize the best potential defense in your unique situation. Call one of our attorneys today to get started on your case immediately.
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