Homicide and Manslaughter are considered some of the most heinous, galvanizing and serious crimes in existence today. If you’re facing a homicide or manslaughter prosecution, it’s critical to be in the hands of an attorney capable of handling this offense. Whether the charge is Murder in the First Degree, Manslaughter, or Murder by Abuse, you will be facing an experienced prosecutor with all of the resources and technologies of the State at their command.
Attorney Alexander Ransom is an aggressive, experienced and effective criminal defense attorney with a superior grasp of forensics and a superior defense.
Homicide is the killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or omission of another, death occurring at any time, and is either (1) murder, (2) homicide by abuse, (3) manslaughter, (4) excusable homicide, or (5) justifiable homicide.
A person is guilty of Murder in the First Degree when he or she (1) premeditates and causes the death of such person or of a third person; or (2) with extreme indifference for human life, engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to any person, and thereby causes the death of a person; or (3) commits the crime of either (a) robbery in the first or second degree, (b) rape in the first or second degree, (c) burglary in the first degree, (d) arson in the first or second degree, or (e) kidnapping in the first or second degree, and in the course of or in furtherance of such crime or in immediate flight therefrom, he or she, or another participant, causes the death of a person.
Murder in the First Degree is a Class A Felony punishable up to life imprisonment and a $50,000.00 fine.
A person is guilty of Murder in the Second Degree when he or she (1) causes the death of another person or of a third person without premeditation; or (2) commits or attempts to commit any felony, including assault, and in the course of and in furtherance of such crime or in immediate flight therefrom, he or she causes the death of a person.
Murder in the Second Degree is a Class A Felony punishable up to life imprisonment and a $50,000.00 fine.
A person is guilty of Homicide by Abuse if, under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life, the person causes the death of a child or person under sixteen years of age, a developmentally disabled person, or a dependent adult, and the person has previously engaged in a pattern or practice of assault or torture of said child, person under sixteen years of age, developmentally disabled person, or dependent person.
Homicide By Abuse is Degree is a Class A Felony punishable up to life imprisonment and a $50,000.00 fine.
Manslaughter in the First Degree
A person is guilty of manslaughter in the first degree when he or she recklessly causes the death of another person; or intentionally and unlawfully kills an unborn quick child by inflicting any injury upon the mother of such child. Manslaughter in the First Degree is Degree is a Class A Felony punishable up to life imprisonment and a $50,000.00 fine.
Manslaughter in the Second Degree
A person is guilty of manslaughter in the second degree when, with criminal negligence, he or she causes the death of another person. Manslaughter in the Second Degree is a Class B Felony punishable up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000.00 fine.
Consequences of a Homicide Conviction
In Washington, a defendant accused of Homicide could face sever punishments including, but not limited to life imprisonment without parole, the Death Penalty, heavy fines, restitution, and other punishments and penalties. These charges are also violent strike offenses.
The severity of the consequences is based on aggravating/mitigating circumstances surrounding the facts of the case, prior criminal convictions, status of probation/parole and general community attitude toward the crime in question.
Defenses
Numerous defenses apply to Homicide and Manslaughter cases. These defenses include lack of intent, self-defense, lack of evidence the defendant handled the weapon used in the crime, insufficient proof or evidence, factual innocence, insanity, lack of knowledge that other participants were armed and/or intending on committing the alleged crime and diminished capacity.
If you or someone you care about is charged with Homicide or Manslaughter in Skagit County or Whatcom County, call attorney Alexander Ransom today for a free, no-pressure case evaluation. Alexander has a reputation in the legal community as an aggressive, effective and experienced criminal defense attorney. Alexander works hard to investigate the forensic evidence, reduce the penalties, negotiate alternative punishments, conduct thorough investigations of witnesses, gather evidence, and devise other strategies to improve the outcome.
