Tampa & Clearwater Murder Defense Lawyer

Murder and Manslaughter are two forms of homicide. Murder is commonly confused for homicide. Homicide is merely the killing of another person. It is not always an illegal or legal act.

Murder

Murder is a form of homicide in which another human being is killed by a sane person who had intent, malice aforethought, and no legal excuse or authority. Malice aforethought means that the person that committed the murder had thought about it before they actually did it.

In Florida, first degree murder, felony murder, capital drug trafficking, and capital sexual battery are all punishable by death. First degree is also eligible for life imprisonment. This sentence does not carry with it the possibility of parole.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter is a lesser form of an unlawful killing of another person. Manslaughter does not require the individual to have had malice aforethought or an evil intent prior to the killing. To sum, an individual is in a situation and a different person dies because of the activities carried out by the first person. There was no intent to kill an individual or premeditation.

There are two forms of manslaughter, voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter is the charge when an individual kills someone in the heat of passion or while committing a felony. Involuntary manslaughter is when a death is caused by violation of a non-felony.

Florida is one of the states that allows the death penalty for murder. Because of this, and other grave consequences, it is important to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The Tampa & Clearwater murder defense lawyers of the Law Offices of Tragos & Sartes, P.L. will ensure that your side of the story is heard in court and give you the best chance of avoiding a murder conviction.