Arizona Homicide and Murder Defense

Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers
Fighting Charges of Homicide

No set of charges in Arizona is more serious for someone to face as a defendant than Arizona homicide accusations. Homicide can mean many different things legally, but the bottom line is that if you face an investigation, arrest or prosecution for Arizona homicide charges, you owe it to yourself to take immediate action by securing the help of an Arizona criminal defense lawyer.

Below you’ll find information regarding the different Arizona homicide charges in existence, a brief description of each crime, the potential penalties that attach to a conviction of each crime and finally how you should proceed if you or someone you love is mired in this situation and you need the help of an Phoenix criminal defense lawyer.

Types of Arizona Homicide and Murder Charges

Arizona has an extensive set of laws that deal with homicide, and below you’ll find brief descriptions of each along with the potential penalties a defendant could face if he or she is convicted.

Negligent Homicide in AZ - Accidental Death

Arizona statutes state that a person is guilty of negligence homicide when he or she, because of criminal negligence, causes the death of another human being, including an unborn child at any stage of development in the womb. Arizona negligent homicide is a Class 4 felony, which can be punished by up to 3 years in prison.

The term ‘negligent’ is important with this statute because it basically means that the defendant did not have to intend to cause a death. All that’s necessary is that the defendant acted with extreme negligence or recklessness and that this conduct led to the death of another person.

Arizona Vehicular Manslaughter Charges

Vehicular manslaughter can be charged against a defendant in Arizona if the defendant recklessly caused an accident that led to the death of another person. Reckless conduct is generally defined as having no regard for safety of others, and in Arizona, driving while intoxicated is considered reckless conduct.

Once again, there does not need to be any specific intent to kill another person, but if someone is convicted of such a crime he or she will have it classified as a Class 2 felony. A prison term for a Class 2 felony can range from 5 – 10 years but can go as high as 12.5 years in certain situations.

AZ Manslaughter Offenses

Manslaughter can be defined in a similar fashion as vehicular manslaughter, in that it involves the defendant recklessly causing the death of another person. However, manslaughter can also be charged if the defendant committed second degree murder if the situation is seen as a crime of passion. This can also be the charge if the defendant is convicted of causing the death of an unborn child.

Basically, manslaughter does not require specific intent to kill someone other than in the crime of passion situation. If a person is convicted of manslaughter in Arizona, it can carry a prison term of 5 – 10 years and can be augmented in an aggravated situation to 12.5 years in prison.

Second Degree Murder Charges in Arizona

Second degree murder is seen as having been committed by a defendant in Arizona if he or she intentionally killed another person or acted with extreme indifference to human life and such actions led to the death of another person. This statute also protects unborn children at any stage of development and can be charged if the defendant intended to kill someone other than the person who was killed.

As one would expect, second degree murder is a very serious charge, and if a defendant is convicted of it in Arizona he or she could face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 22 years, and if the victim is an unborn child or under the age of 15 that maximum term could move to 27 years on a first offense.

First Degree Murder Charges in Arizona

A person can be found guilty of first degree murder if he or she intentionally and knowingly acts in such a way that causes the death of another person. Generally, there must be intent present in the situation, although that intent can be ‘transferred’ to another victim if the defendant kills an unborn child in the process.

There are also other additions to this statute, such as if the defendant kills a law enforcement officer or kills a person in the commission of a violent felony. In these situations, intent is not required for proof. Ultimately, a convicted defendant could face a life term in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty for Arizona first degree murder.

Why You Need a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer

As can be seen, any of the Arizona homicide charges present a serious situation. If you find yourself involved in this sort of investigation, your freedom and perhaps your life could be on the line. Rather than take a chance by attempting to handle this situation alone, contact the Phoenix criminal defense lawyers at David Wroblewski & Associates today to schedule an initial consultation.