We probably don’t have to tell you how serious homicide charges can be. If you are accused, you need to figure out a defensive strategy right away. An experienced Blue Bell criminal defense lawyer is ready to help you do that.
What Should I Do After Being Charged With Homicide?
After you are accused of committing homicide, the cops may try to talk to you. They may even tell you that they can help you out if you cooperate with them. You are under no obligation to speak to them.
Invoke your rights. Ask for an attorney. Then only talk to your attorney about this case, no one else. Your attorney can communicate on your behalf and prevent you from incriminating yourself. Even if you are innocent, saying the wrong thing can give the cops something to use against you. Never give them that kind of opportunity.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer If I Have a Public Defender?
If you are assigned a public defender, you may think that there is no reason to hire an attorney on your own. When facing serious charges like homicide, you may want to seriously consider hiring a lawyer of your own though.
Public defenders are often capable, but they also tend to have heavy caseloads. It can be difficult for them to make time for your case. On the other hand, when we take on your case we are ready to make time for you. We will always treat your case as a top priority and we are committed to finding the best possible defensive strategy for you.
What Are Some Common Defenses Against Homicide Charges?
There are a few common ways to push back against the state’s accusations and poke holes in the prosecution’s case. Common strategies include:
Claiming self-defense: If you were acting to defend yourself or someone else, that can be a valid reason for harming someone else. You can have a hard time claiming this if you instigated or responded with disproportionate force though. You could also run into issues if you had a chance to escape the situation but did not take it.
Showing a lack of intent: If you did not have intent, you cannot be convicted of homicide. If you have no obvious motive or reason to commit this crime, then your defense lawyer can focus on that and show that the prosecution does not have a case against you.
Pleading insanity: This defense doesn’t work like it does on TV, but it can be a valid strategy if you can show that you did not understand your actions or their consequences at the time the crime was committed.
Claim mistaken identity: A witness places you at the scene of the crime, but you argue that they are mistaken. Your lawyer can try to discredit the witness or argue that you had a valid alibi that contradicts their testimony.
Contact Our Law Firm
The stakes are too high in a case like this. You need experienced representation and a law firm that’s ready to fight for you. That’s why you should contact Mudrick & Zucker to schedule a consultation with our team as soon as possible. We look forward to reviewing your case.
