Apache Junction Homicide Attorney
A homicide charge has serious potential to completely derail your entire life. Homicide is one of the most serious charges that can happen to you, and if you don’t tread carefully with your case, you could end up serving life in prison or even getting the death penalty. There are several different types of homicide you could be charged with, and your first move should be to contact an Apache Junction homicide lawyer who can help you figure out your next steps.
For a free legal consultation with a homicide lawyer serving Apache Junction, call 480-400-5555
What Is Homicide in Apache Junction, AZ?
A homicide is a crime that deals with causing the intentional, deliberate death of another person. There are primarily four different types of homicide that are prosecuted in Arizona, and all four are considered very serious crimes that will forever change your life if you are convicted. It is imperative that you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself in the event of a homicide charge, or you risk severe penalties upon conviction.
The four types of homicide in Apache Junction are:
- Negligent Homicide: Negligent homicide occurs when someone causes another person’s death through criminal negligence. Negligent homicide is fairly similar to manslaughter, though it does not involve a standard of recklessness that comes with manslaughter. In a negligent homicide, the suspect deviates from an expected standard of care. Performing an abortion in Arizona is considered a negligent homicide.
- Manslaughter: Manslaughter occurs when one person causes another person’s death through reckless behavior. It can happen through a sudden crime of passion, knowingly providing a suicidal person with the means to commit suicide, being coerced to kill another person under threat of violence, killing an unborn child by injuring the mother, or killing someone in a drunk driving accident you caused.
- Second-Degree Murder: The primary difference between first- and second-degree murder is that second-degree is not premeditated. It just happens without much thought behind it. It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a murder was premeditated or not. This kind of murder is unplanned, spur of the moment, and not done out of a moment of passion.
- First-Degree Murder: First-degree murder is punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. It is premeditated, intentional, and planned to some degree. You go into a first-degree murder situation, fully intending to kill someone, either alone or with a partner. The end result is always the death of another human being.
Apache Junction Homicide Lawyer Near Me 480-400-5555
Possible Defenses to Homicide
When you are arrested for a charge of homicide, you may be feeling overwhelmed and out of options. You may be concerned that you have no possible method of defense. You may be wrong. An experienced Apache Junction criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you develop a defense strategy that could help reduce the charges against you. There are a number of different ways you could argue the justification of your actions.
Here are some of those ways:
- Self-Defense: One of the most common defenses against homicide is self-defense. If you didn’t kill them, they would’ve killed you first. You had to act in order to protect yourself or someone else. You have the right to use reasonable force in a moment of danger and to defend yourself from an imminent threat. However, to prove self-defense, your lawyer must be able to prove that your actions were a reasonable response to the moment.
- Accident: Another defense you may try to use is that the homicide was an accident. You didn’t mean for it to happen that way, but it did. The death in question was an accidental consequence of a lawful incident.
- Insanity: Pleading insanity may be a viable option for your defense. At the moment, you may have lost control of yourself or were temporarily incapacitated at the time. This will require expert testimony from mental health professionals to prove and demonstrate, but it can sometimes be used as a possible defense against homicide charges.
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Apache Junction Homicide FAQs
Q: What Is the Definition of Homicide in Apache Junction?
A: The definition of homicide in Apache Junction is the act of intentionally killing another human being through either direct action or by omission. Homicide is classified into four categories in Arizona — manslaughter, negligent homicide, first-degree murder, and second-degree murder. All four carry significant consequences that could completely derail the suspect’s life and land them in prison for a considerable amount of time.
Q: What Is the Revised Statute for Negligent Homicide in Apache Junction?
A: The Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) for negligent homicide is Section 13-1102. This section of the code declares that someone would be committing negligent homicide if they cause another person’s death through criminal negligence, including the death of an unborn child in the event of an abortion you caused. Negligent homicide is a Class 4 felony. Other examples include locking a child in a hot car by accident or causing a fire that kills someone.
Q: How Long Do You Have to Report a Homicide in Apache Junction?
A: In Apache Junction, you have as long as you need to report a homicide, as the crime is so serious that it has no statute of limitations. If you learn about a homicide that has taken place and you have information about it, reach out to law enforcement immediately. If there is a crime in progress, call 911 and get emergency law enforcement officers to the scene as fast as you can.
Q: What Is “Pressing Charges” in Apache Junction?
A: “Pressing charges” is a term that refers to someone’s intention to report someone else’s unlawful behavior to the police and cooperate fully with the investigation. In Apache Junction, the prosecuting attorney has the final say over whether or not to press charges. The law considers crimes to not just be done to the individual, but an offense to the state itself.
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Reach Out to a Homicide Lawyer in Apache Junction Today
Facing a charge of homicide is one of the most stressful situations you could ever be in. You will want an experienced homicide lawyer by your side to help ensure your case goes smoothly and to prepare you for any setbacks. The legal team at Grand Canyon Law Group can prepare you for what’s to come by helping build your case, gather evidence, and protect your interests. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Call or text 480-400-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form