Homicide Lawyer Grand Rapids MI
A homicide lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI at Blanchard Law focuses on representing those who reside in the Michigan area. Our firm has been dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals who were accused of a wide assortment of crimes. We are proud of our successful track record and encourage you to contact us if you have been charged with a crime.
Without an experienced Michigan homicide lawyer in MI from our firm by your side, you may be at the mercy of the criminal justice system. Call us without delay and request a free consultation with a homicide defense lawyer from Blanchard Law.
Penalties for a Conviction on a Homicide Charge
Homicide, also referred to as murder, is the intentional killing of another person with “malice aforethought.” Malice aforethought means that the individual decided to kill the other person and then followed through with their plan. In other words, it was not done spontaneously or in reaction to actions taken by the victim. Self-defense is not homicide because the act of killing the other person is done to protect one’s life and was not planned.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, a homicide lawyer in Grand Rapids, Michigan can tell you what the maximum penalty might be for a conviction of the charge or charges against you. The maximum penalty for a homicide conviction is life imprisonment, and in some jurisdictions, if capital punishment is permissible, a conviction could result in the death penalty. We can leverage all of our available resources and experience in your defense in an effort toward a positive resolution of your case.
Common Types of Homicide Charges
There are several types of homicide charges, and though may have already been charged with one type, it’s possible that the prosecutor will change the type of charge. After taking your case, a MI homicide lawyer can provide legal guidance as to whether or not this is likely to happen to you. If you are facing additional criminal charges, he or she can represent you for those as well. Here is an overview of the most common types of homicide charges:
- First-degree murder. For a conviction on this type of charge, the prosecutor must prove that before you killed the victim, you thought about doing so and had the intention of killing them. Those who are convicted of first-degree murder face the most serious penalties. Without the legal representation of a seasoned homicide lawyer in Grand Rapids, you may be at greater risk of a conviction.
- Second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. For a conviction on this type of charge, the prosecutor must prove that before you killed the victim but had not planned to do so.
- Involuntary manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide. For a conviction on this type of charge, the prosecutor must prove that you were acting recklessly or in a criminally negligent way and as a result, someone died.
If you or a loved one has been charged with the crime of homicide, call our Grand Rapids homicide lawyer from MI at Blanchard Law immediately for a free consultation and learn how we might be able to help you.