Understanding Consequences of a Murder Charge
As a criminal defense lawyer, it is difficult to watch those charged with homicide/murder being convicted by the public and the media way before the trial and the presentation of evidence. As a result, these people are being stigmatized by their community. From the moment they get charged, their life and the life of their loved ones turn into hell.
Being faced with homicide charges is a very serious situation that calls for a very serious approach. If convicted, you face a long time behind the bars. If you are the person who supports a family, then they face a threat to their well-being. Whatever the evidence of the prosecution is, you have to fight no matter what.
You should know that the police make mistakes during investigations. They do not approach them with the attention to detail you would expect. That's why they miss important facts that the defense can take advantage of. Moreover, detectives sometimes bring into the investigation their own personal biases, which can lead to charging decisions based on investigatory flaws that our seasoned homicide lawyers know how to use in your favor.
Do I Need a Murder Defense Lawyer?
If you don't hire a lawyer of your own choice, you or your loved one will be assigned a lawyer that you did not choose and who may be ill equipped to apply the required pressure necessary to expose the flaws in the prosecution's case. While an assigned attorney can provide a good defense, they work on too many cases and rarely have the ability to dedicate the time necessary to provide the defense you or your love ones deserve.
At The Curtis Firm, LLC, not only do you get the attorney you hired, we are dedicated to utilizing our time and resources to support our clients. That is vital since the penalties for a homicide conviction are very serious.
Just to give you an idea, they include:
- Up to Life imprisonment and $50,000 in fines for Murder in the First Degree
- Mandatory life imprisonment for Aggravated Murder in the First Degree
- Up to Life imprisonment and $50,000 in fines for Murder in the Second Degree
- 78-120 months in prison for a Manslaughter in the First-Degree
- 21-27 months in prison for Manslaughter in the Second-Degree
In addition to the time spent in prison, the convicted party bears life-long consequences once they are released from prison. Their criminal record may prevent them from passing security checks for certain jobs, applying to school for pre-qualification, bearing firearms, housing restrictions and other negative consequences.
Remember that the US Constitution guarantees you the presumption of innocence, which means that you are innocent until proven guilty. You must fight to maintain that presumption and your freedom. The criminal defense attorneys at The Curtis Firm, LLC possess actual jury trial experience where individuals were charged with murder as a former prosecutor. We put that experience at your service if you or a loved one face with such serious charges.
Our defense always starts with a free initial consultation at (253) 327-1063 or at our office. We'll listen to you carefully until we understand the case facts very well and will ask questions where necessary. When we get a picture of the case, we will present you with a well thought out strategy for defending your rights and maintaining your presumption of innocence. Call us now and let's get to work.
Call The Curtis Firm for Legal Representation
If you have been accused of a crime in the Washington area, you need a strong legal defense team to ensure your rights are protected and your future is secured. The stakes are high, so retaining the best criminal defense lawyer to fight the charges can be the best investment you can make in your future. Contact us online or call The Curtis Firm, LLC to get started on your case.
We proudly serve Pierce and King county.