Phoenix Manslaughter Lawyer

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 fight back against these charges, but you are also entitled to the support of a skilled homicide defense attorney, also known as a Phoenix manslaughter lawyer.

The right strategy could help you avoid a conviction. Before you consider a plea offer, you could benefit from a discussion with a Phoenix manslaughter lawyer.

WHAT IS MANSLAUGHTER?

This offense is one of several homicide charges recognized in Arizona. Unlike most of these other offenses, manslaughter does not always involve the intentional taking of another person’s life. Instead, several factors can lead to this charge.

The most common example involves 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

A manslaughter attorney serving Phoenix could provide a defense in any of these circumstances.

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.

HOW DOES IT 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.

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 at trial will be whether or not they acted recklessly. To push back against these allegations by the state, we could establish that you were unaware of the risks that ultimately caused another person’s death.

It is important to note that while this might avoid a manslaughter conviction, it is not a defense against negligent homicide. Another option is to focus on your 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 fight your manslaughter charges. An attorney can explain the law and how it applies to your case, along with your options for fighting 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 fight your charges up front by holding prosecutors to their burden of proof.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Manslaughter Law in Arizona?

A: 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.

Q: What Crimes Are Punishable by Death in Arizona?

A: 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.

Q: What Are the Different Types of Manslaughter?

A: 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.

Q: How Can I Beat a Charge of Manslaughter?

A: 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 ensure your rights are protected. Call a Phoenix manslaughter lawyer from Grand Canyon Law Group today to get started. Our legal team is ready to support you.

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