Fort Lauderdale Murder Lawyer
The crime of murder is one of the most serious criminal offenses under Florida law. As such, anyone that is convicted faces the harshest of penalties. If you have been charged with this serious crime, it is crucial that you speak to a Fort Lauderdale murder lawyer that can help with your defense. An attorney will examine the details and evidence in your case, as well as the arguments of the prosecutor to identify any weaknesses in them.
Types of Murder Charges in Fort Lauderdale
The act of murder is often referred to as ‘unjustifiable homicide’ because there is no justification for the accused to take a person’s life. The act of taking someone’s life is sometimes justified when a person was acting in self-defense or to defend another person from serious harm. When a person is charged with murder, they can face three different types of charges. These are as follows:
- First-degree murder: First-degree murder in Florida is premeditated, which means a person planned to act with malice. Lying in wait, poisoning, torture, and imprisonment are just a few acts that can be considered murder if they take another person’s life. Any murder that occurred during the commission of another felonious act is also classified as third-degree murder in the state.
- Second-degree murder: Second-degree murder occurs when a person loses their life due to the extreme disregard for human life. For example, if someone unlawfully distributes a controlled substance and someone dies as a result, that could be considered second-degree murder.
- Third-degree murder: The Florida Statutes define third degree murder as any time a person is unintentionally killed due to another person committing a non-violent felony, or attempting to commit a non-violent felony.
If convicted of any of the above offenses, a person will face anywhere between a minimum of 15 years in prison, and a maximum life sentence.
Defending Murder Charges in Fort Lauderdale
In many cases, the defendant’s own state of mind provides the necessary defense to murder charges. For example, if the defendant accidentally killed another person and it was not intentional, and they were not committing a felony at the time, a person may face charges of vehicular homicide and not murder.
A defendant’s mental state must also be thoroughly assessed to determine if it can provide a defense. For example, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and temporary insanity can all cause the person suffering from them to experience symptoms that could act as a defense to a murder charge.
Call Our Fort Lauderdale Murder Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Murder is an extremely serious offense in Florida and if you have been charged, you must speak to a Fort Lauderdale murder lawyer as soon as possible. At the office of Kevin J. Kulik, we have the necessary experience to defend against these difficult charges and will protect your future. Call us today at 954-761-9411 or fill out our online form to schedule a free confidential consultation.
