Manslaughter Attorney in Phoenix, AZ
Manslaughter is a type of homicide charge where, if you are convicted, the consequences could be life-altering. From steep fines to damage to your reputation, it can be difficult to chart a path forward in life with a criminal record for manslaughter. You not only have the right to push back against these charges, but you are also entitled to the support of a skilled Phoenix manslaughter lawyer.
For a free legal consultation with a manslaughter lawyer serving Phoenix, call 480-400-5555
About Grand Canyon Law Group
At Grand Canyon Law Group, we represent Phoenix-area individuals accused of various criminal offenses, including manslaughter. Some of our attorneys are former prosecutors, meaning they have inside knowledge and insight regarding how prosecuting attorneys approach criminal cases. This unique vantage point allows us to build defenses that anticipate the prosecuting attorney’s next move.
We also stand out from the crowd because we make ourselves available to our clients 24 hours per day, seven days per week. We know that the need for legal support is not confined to weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so we allocate our resources accordingly. When you work with us, you’ll have access to an attorney at any time of the day or night.
We recognize that when our clients come to us, they are often facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. In service to our clients, we approach each case with compassion and honesty as we work toward favorable outcomes. Our Phoenix office is located at 76 East Mitchell Drive, a convenient stop-off for our Phoenix clients.
Phoenix Manslaughter Lawyer Near Me 480-400-5555
What Is Manslaughter?
The offense of manslaughter is one of several homicide charges recognized in Arizona. Unlike most other homicide offenses, manslaughter does not always involve the intentional taking of another person’s life. The most common examples of manslaughter involve recklessly causing the death of another person. This includes taking actions that cause fatal injuries while aware of the potential risk of death or serious harm. Other situations that could lead to an arrest include:
- Providing someone with the means to commit suicide
- Second-degree murder while being coerced
- Injuring a pregnant woman, leading to her baby’s death
Manslaughter can be difficult to define because the circumstances leading to such charges vary so widely, but the crux of the issue is whether or not the defendant acted recklessly, not just carelessly, prior to the unintentional death.
As in all other homicide charges in Arizona, manslaughter charges may be applied equally in situations that result in the death of an unborn child, whether the criminal action resulted in the death of the pregnant woman or not. Unborn children are considered people under Arizona law, with the full rights afforded to all other people, when it comes to homicide.
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What Happens After a Manslaughter Arrest in Phoenix?
Following an arrest in Ahwatukee Foothills, Arcadia, Roosevelt Row, or elsewhere in Phoenix, a homicide suspect is typically booked into the Maricopa County jail system, located at 201 S. 4th Avenue.
For a serious offense like manslaughter, a judge would evaluate whether the suspect is eligible for bail. The case moves forward after the initial hearing to the pre-trial phase, where both the prosecution and defense review evidence or gather new evidence and begin negotiating plea deals or preparing for trial.
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How Does Manslaughter Differ from Negligent Homicide?
At first glance, this crime is similar to another offense: negligent homicide. Both of these charges involve unintentionally causing the death of another person, but there is an important distinction between the two.
Manslaughter arrests in Phoenix occur as a result of reckless behavior. Negligent homicide relates to the death of a person caused by careless behavior that the accused should have known was risky. The major difference is that a person charged with manslaughter knew what they were doing had a high risk of physical injury, whereas negligent homicide cases can be brought
against someone who lacked this knowledge.
How Does Manslaughter Differ from Murder?
The most significant difference between manslaughter and murder lies in the concept of intent. For an offense to be charged as manslaughter, the defendant must not have intended to kill another person. A murder charge, on the other hand, requires intent to kill.
First-degree murder involves killing another human being with premeditation, meaning the defendant thought about and planned the crime in advance. Second-degree murder involves intentional killing, but not premeditation. For example, getting angry in the moment and intentionally killing someone, but with no provocation from the victim, could result in a second-degree murder charge.
Potential Penalties for Manslaughter
In Arizona, manslaughter is a Class 2 felony. Class 2 felonies generally result in prison sentences, and prison time is mandatory for offenses that are considered dangerous. If a person is convicted of manslaughter, the minimum jail sentence according to Arizona law is seven years, and the maximum jail sentence is 21 years. Judges have discretion when deciding what sentence to hand down within this range.
In addition to jail time, people convicted of manslaughter may face fines and probation following their prison sentences.
What Are Some Viable Defenses?
There are different ways that an attorney in Phoenix could approach a manslaughter case. Building a defense strategy can focus on the statutory language. Often, the primary issue in a manslaughter trial is whether or not the defendant acted recklessly. To push back against these allegations by the state, an attorney could argue that a defendant’s actions were not reckless because they did not realize the potential for harm.
It is important to note that while this might avoid a manslaughter conviction, it is not a defense against negligent homicide. Another potential defense option revolves around establishing a defendant’s actual innocence. This means building a defense around evidence that shows you were not responsible for another person’s death at all. This proof could relate to the cause of the person’s death or even identify the individual who was truly at fault.
Identifying the right strategy in these cases is rarely simple. Thankfully, you are not obligated to handle this task on your own. You can lean on your legal team while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with hiring the right attorney.
Why You Should Hire a Manslaughter Lawyer
The violent crime rate in Phoenix is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, and manslaughter is far from an uncommon criminal charge in the state. If you are facing manslaughter charges, your top priority should be to hire a manslaughter lawyer to defend you and help you protect your rights. An attorney can explain the law and how it applies to your case, along with your options for defense against your charges.
Whether your case benefits from an unintentional killing defense or showing that you acted in self-defense, having the right Phoenix manslaughter attorney can shape the ultimate outcome of your manslaughter case. An attorney can negotiate a favorable plea deal that protects your freedom or contest your charges up front by holding prosecutors to their burden of proof.
The Help of a Lawyer
Another major benefit to hiring a criminal defense lawyer to help you with your manslaughter case is that a seasoned attorney can provide educated oversight during the investigative or trial process. Law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys must follow procedural rules when pursuing charges against someone. A defendant’s rights may be violated if someone fails to follow procedure.
If this happens, a skilled attorney should recognize it. Sometimes, procedural mistakes result in evidence becoming inadmissible in court, meaning the judge and jury cannot consider it when making a decision. Occasionally, mistakes even result in a mistrial.
FAQs
What Is the Manslaughter Law in Arizona?
A person commits manslaughter by recklessly causing the death of another person. This offense is differentiated from murder due to the lack of premeditation. Examples of manslaughter include someone driving while intoxicated and causing a fatal collision or fighting in a brawl that leads to someone’s death. Under state law, encouraging someone to commit suicide or facilitating their suicide is also manslaughter.
What Crimes Are Punishable by Death in Arizona?
In Arizona, the death penalty is reserved for first-degree murder cases involving certain factors. Anyone convicted of manslaughter cannot be sentenced to death. Manslaughter is a Class 2 felony that can result in mandatory incarceration in prison. While many types of crime can result in someone else’s death, only first-degree murder makes someone eligible for the death penalty.
What Are the Different Types of Manslaughter?
Manslaughter can involve reckless killings, killings committed in the heat of passion, deaths caused while committing certain non-homicide offenses, or knowingly providing the means for another person to commit suicide. While there are many ways that someone can cause the death of another individual, it is the lack of premeditation that largely defines this crime.
How Can I Beat a Charge of Manslaughter?
You can beat a charge of manslaughter by working with an attorney who understands criminal law and how to prevent prosecutors from reaching their burden of proof. An attorney can explore defense strategies, such as self-defense, to secure reduced or dropped criminal charges. Since manslaughter cases do not involve premeditation, your attorney’s focus can remain on challenging the criminal intent of the incident.
Talk to a Phoenix Manslaughter Attorney Today
When you are facing these charges, it is crucial that you act right away. The state will not wait to start building a case against you. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible could help you make sure your rights are protected. Contact a Phoenix manslaughter lawyer from Grand Canyon Law Group today to get started. Our legal team is ready to support you.
Grand Canyon Law Group – Phoenix, AZ Office
Call or text 480-400-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
