Olathe Murder Lawyer
Murder & Homicide Attorney in Johnson County
Although many people use the terms "murder," "manslaughter" and "homicide" interchangeably, it is important to understand that there is a difference between these crimes.
What Is Murder?
Murder can be defined as any act in which one person kills another with malice aforethought—meaning that the crime was premeditated. Manslaughter can be defined as any act in which one person kills another in a manner that is considered less culpable than murder.
Generally, the determining factor between murder and manslaughter is the defendant's state of mind at the time of the incident.
What Is Homicide?
Homicide can be defined as any act of one human killing another. Many people think that homicide and murder are just two different terms for the same offense, but homicide is rather an umbrella term for all acts of intentional and unintentional killing—including murder, manslaughter, capital punishment and even the use of deadly force by police.
Why You Need an Attorney
Whether or not the killing will be considered a criminal offense is ultimately dependent on the circumstances of the incident, as not all acts of killing are punished under the law. For this reason, you should not hesitate to speak to our Olathe criminal attorney if you have been charged with murder.
Although you may have been accused of intentionally ending someone else's life, your lawyer may be able to prove that the killing was actually an act of self-defense or involuntary manslaughter.
Contact our firm to speak with our murder attorney in Olathe.
What Is Murder in the First Degree?
In Kansas, one can be either be charged with murder in the first or second degree—depending on a number of different circumstances. According to Kansas Code §21-3401, first degree murder is the intentional and premeditated killing of another human, or the killing of another human "in the commission of, attempt to commit, or flight from an inherently dangerous felony."
What Is Murder in the Second Degree?
According to Kansas Code §21-3402, one may be found guilty of second degree murder if they have intentionally, or "unintentionally but recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life," killed another human.
Penalties for First & Second Degree Murder in Kansas
The penalties that one would face if convicted will vary depending on whether it is a first or second degree charge.
These Penalties Include:
- First Degree Murder – Life in prison with the chance of parole after 25 years
- Second Degree Murder (Intentional) – 12 ½ to 54 years in prison
- Second Degree Murder (Unintentional) – 9 to 41 years in prison
- Capital Murder – Death / life without parole / life with parole after 25 years
Protect Yourself from Life in Prison – Contact Our Firm Today
If you or someone you love has recently been accused of committing murder, you should not hesitate to enlist the help of our Johnson County criminal defense lawyer from Garretson & Toth, LLC as soon as possible. Our Olathe firm is experienced in representing some of the most complex of criminal cases, including all forms of violent crime, so you can rest assured that we will provide you with the aggressive defense that you deserve when you make the decision to trust in our firm.
Our goal is to ensure that you are not subjected to the maximum penalties of a criminal conviction, so our defense lawyers in Olathe will do whatever we can to secure a favorable outcome in your case. All you have to do is pick up the phone and
contact our firm to get started.
Your initial consultation is free when you call at (913) 971-0296 so don't wait any longer to seek the professional help that you will need from our murder lawyer in Olathe.
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Aggressively Defending Our Clients for Over 57 Years
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If You Are Facing Criminal Charges, Our Team is Ready to Help You.
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