Homicide In Florida
Unfortunately, Florida is a state with a high homicide rate, and recent statistics have shown that throughout the 21st Century, at least five people per 1,000 citizens are murdered every year. A defendant can be charged with murder as a result of several circumstances, and if a murder is deemed "intentional" or has occurred under "special circumstances," a defendant could face the death penalty.
If you have been charged with any form of homicide, you face the ultimate legal battle, and one that could literally put your life on the line. Therefore, you owe it to yourself and those you love to put forth the strongest defense possible. The last thing you should do is hide in fear and not contact an experienced defense attorney because of limited financial resources. Anabelle Dias & Associates, P.A. is a firm that will work with you towards putting together an affordable payment plan, and they are available 24 hours per day. You need to contact the firm today to protect your rights.
The following are a few examples of how a homicide-related charge can arise in Florida:
1. Florida Homicide Statutory Definition
The Florida statutes define murder simply, and that definition is: The unlawful killing of a human being when perpetrated from a premeditated design to effect the death of the person killed or any human being.
2. Circumstances in which a Homicide Charge Can Result
There are several other circumstances in which a prosecutor can seek a charge of homicide, and they include:
- A killing that occurs during the commission of a different felony, including:
- Drug trafficking
- Arson
- Sexual Battery
- Robbery/Burglary
- Kidnapping
- Almost any other serious felony
This is widely known around the country as the "felony murder" doctrine, whereby a felon is held responsible for someone's death, even if it was not intended, as a result of the commission of the underlying felony.
3. Manslaughter Charge in Florida
Manslaughter is a lesser homicide-related charge in Florida, and generally speaking, manslaughter is the charge used by prosecutors when there is a lack of intent on the part of the defendant. Like murder, manslaughter can be a charge that results from several situations, including drunk driving.
However, unlike murder, manslaughter is considered a felony in the second degree, and therefore the penalties involved can not include the death penalty. That notwithstanding, manslaughter can be punished by up to life in prison, and not less than 25 years in prison in most cases.
Regardless of the specifics of your arrest and indictment for any homicide-related issue, the biggest advantage you have is your guaranteed set of Constitutional rights. However, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to maximize those rights, and that is why you need to contact the attorneys at Anabelle Dias & Associates, P.A. as soon as possible for a consultation. The firm is available 24 hours per day, and the sooner you get started on asserting your defense, the more likely you will be able to mount a strong defense. Contact the firm today.
