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Homicide is one of the most serious charges with the potential for severe consequences, so it is extremely important to seek out a skilled homicide lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL immediately if you or a loved one is facing this criminal charge. It can be confusing to differentiate the term ‘homicide’ from ‘murder’ because they share similarities and are both categorized as violent crimes. However, homicide is the act of killing another person, but in some cases, it is not always a crime.
Some homicides can be classified as self-defense but it would require an experienced criminal defense attorney like those at the Law Office of Farkas & Crowley to ensure the non-criminal nature of the homicide is recognized by the court and therefore dismissed.
The three major crimes that are considered homicide are: murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide.
Murder is the most serious homicide charge because it involves the deliberate killing of another person. Felony murder in the first degree is the most severe murder charge and can result in extremely dire consequences. The offense not only depends on the act of killing another person but also the circumstances by which it was carried out. For instance, if the killing took place during the course of another crime, such as an armed robbery, then it may be classified as a murder in the second or third degree.
Manslaughter, on the other hand, occurs when someone is killed by another person without any intent to do so. This is usually the result of some kind of negligence and the degree of negligence that resulted in the crime is what determines the severity of the charge. Reckless behavior is a type of negligence that can lead to the unintentional death of another person. Depending on the circumstances it could be considered a felony in the second degree, but reckless behavior or other negligence that leads to the death of an elderly, disabled, or young person, or person with certain professions like a police officer, may be considered a felony in the first degree.
Vehicular homicide is the death of another person as a result of reckless or negligent driving. Like manslaughter, the circumstances of the death determine if the resulting charges are a felony in the first or second degree. Since the circumstances can differ for each unique situation it is important to consult with a homicide lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL to discuss your particular case.
If you or someone you know is facing homicide charges like murder or manslaughter you could potentially face jail time, a life sentence, or even the death sentence in the state of Florida. On top of these serious penalties, there may also be hefty fines due also, so it is important to secure a seasoned and knowledgeable defense team like the Law Office of Farkas & Crowley to represent you or your loved one. Some instances can be considered an excusable or justifiable homicide if the death occurred as a result of an unintentional mistake that did not involve negligence or if it was determined that the person was killed in self-defense.
In the state of Florida, there is also legislation called “Stand Your Ground” that allows the use of deadly force if there is evidence that it is necessary to prevent being attacked or killed yourself.
Few charges are considered more serious than homicide offenses in the state of Florida and have the potential to result in extremely serious consequences as outlined above. If you are looking for a homicide lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL don’t hesitate to reach out to the Law Office of Farkas & Crowley today to discuss your case!
Looking for a criminal law firm? Farkas & Crowley, P.A. are the attorneys for you. They are extremely knowledgeable of the law and go the extra mile for their clients. Their expertise and impeccable work ethic are hard to beat. Available 24/7. Highly recommended.
-Marla Newman
500 S. Australian Ave.
6th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) - 444 - 9529
Mon - Fri: 9 am – 5 pm
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from criminal defense attorneys at Law Office of Farkas & Crowley, P.A.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission from criminal defense attorneys at Law Office of Farkas & Crowley, P.A.
