Murder is one of the most serious charges a person can face. If convicted, you will lose your freedom and possibly personal relationships, your right to vote or own a firearm, the ability to work as a civil servant or find suitable housing or a job. A felony conviction never goes away and will impact your life forever after leaving prison. The consequences are so far-reaching that it is imperative you meet with a highly experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your plight.
Murders, or homicides, are divided into categories depending on their severity in Florida. The prosecutor must prove every element describing the degree of murder charged. In some cases, homicide is justifiable, and working with the right attorney means you could be cleared. If Seminole County Sheriff’s deputies or Sanford Police officers arrest you for committing a homicide, a Sanford murder lawyer with The Umansky Law Firm has decades of experience to leverage on your behalf.
Florida Statutes § 782.04(1)(a) defines murder as the unlawful killing of another and explains the degrees of homicide you can be charged with.
First-degree murder is premeditated, which means the perpetrator planned and intended to commit the murder, or it was a by-product of committing another crime, such as aggravated abuse of a child or elderly person, arson, home-invasion, kidnapping, and other felonies, even if the original intent to murder was not part of the plan. First-degree murder is a capital felony with punishment of up to life in prison, and in some rare cases, the death penalty.
Second-degree murder involves a wanton disregard for human life while committing an act that puts another person in imminent danger but is not premeditated and murder was not the perpetrator’s intent. A conviction can bring a sentence of up to life in prison for this first-degree felony and a fine of up to $10,000.
Third-degree murder is charged when a person is unintentionally killed during the commission of another felony, such as carjacking, burglary, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement, among others. This crime is a second-degree felony, and a conviction can result in up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Manslaughter is also a second-degree felony that occurs when a killing is not justifiable and generally happens in in a fleeting moment without planning, which is voluntary, or involuntary if the deadly act results from reckless or negligent conduct. Because of the gravity of these charges, once you are arrested, it is crucial to involve an experienced and successful Sanford murder defense attorney, who will review the prosecutor’s evidence and act swiftly to defend you.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by counsel and present a defense if there is a threat that your freedom will be compromised by a criminal conviction. The attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm explore every possible defense to mitigate the charges against you, with an eye toward exonerating you. Some defenses to consider include:
Defenses are tailored to the facts and evidence when you are charged with murder. Our Sanford defense lawyers have decades of success refuting a prosecutor’s assertions and restoring clients’ freedom.
An arrest for murder is a sobering ordeal, but it does not automatically result in a conviction. Our attorneys identify mitigating factors such as your lack of a criminal history, your age when the crime occurs, or that you suffer from a mental illness to negotiate with the prosecutor for a lesser charge or exoneration. We leave nothing to chance when your freedom, and possibly your life, are at stake.
The attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm have worked decades to hone our skills at defending those accused of serious crimes. We believe you deserve to be heard, and we are ready to speak on your behalf. Contact a Sanford murder lawyer now if you are facing what feels like insurmountable challenges.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
