Clearwater Murder/Manslaughter Attorney
Anyone accused of an unlawful killing must secure the help of an experienced Clearwater murder/manslaughter attorney. These crimes carry the harshest penalties, and evidence is often convoluted and complex. The Reep Law Firm can review what evidence the police have found and search for anything which shows you did not commit the crime, including alibi witnesses. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Murder & Manslaughter
Florida classifies homicide by degree:
- First-degree murder. This is a premeditated killing, such as hiding in someone’s closet to murder them when they come home. You can also face first-degree murder charges if you kill someone during the commission of a violent felony, like burglary.
- Second-degree murder. This crime involves killing someone with a depraved mind. You can face second-degree murder charges if you are a participant in a violent felony and someone else commits an act which causes death. For example, you could help a group break into a home and, once inside, another member of your group strangles the owner.
- Third-degree murder. This crime involves a death occurring during a non-violent felony.
- A defendant faces manslaughter charges when they commit an intentional act which is not premeditated or when acting negligently.
Any murder or manslaughter charge is serious. Defendants are staring at the possibility of decades in prison if convicted. First-degree murder is also a capital offense, which means a defendant can receive the death penalty.
The state throws unlimited resources into murder and homicide cases, which often draw public interest. Any defendant should hire an experienced lawyer to ensure they get a fair trial. Jurors are often biased, and the prosecution might be unwilling to offer a plea deal. So much is at stake, including possibly your life.
Our defense will depend on the evidence. Some murder/manslaughter cases hinge on eyewitness testimony. But observers are often distracted or confused and might misidentify the defendant. A crime committed at night, for example, can lead to misidentification. Other cases depend on physical evidence, hairs, DNA, or fingerprints. The police might also find the murder weapon and claim your DNA is on it. Let us review what the police know.
We can also search for exculpatory evidence, such as an alibi witness or video showing you somewhere else when the crime was committed. You might have been far from the murder scene on the day in question, which shows you are not guilty.
Contact Our Office to Speak with a Clearwater Criminal Defense Lawyer
Any murder or manslaughter charge deserves an aggressive defense. Do not rely on an exhausted or overburdened public defender to have your interests at heart. Instead, reach out to The Reep Law Firm today to schedule a time to meet. We can challenge the state’s collection of evidence or questioning of you at the police station. We can also ask a judge to throw out improperly collected evidence, which could result in reduced or even dropped charges. Contact us to speak with an experienced Clearwater murder/manslaughter attorney about the status of your case.
