If you have recently been accused of homicide, your entire future is in jeopardy. There are few criminal charges more serious than those surrounding homicide, murder, manslaughter, and other related charges. Fortunately, with the support and resources of a top-rated Kent homicide defense lawyer from Puget Law Group, you can build the strongest defense strategy possible.
Your respected Kent criminal defense lawyer will be responsible for evaluating the district attorney’s case against you to determine which approach is best suited for your defense strategy. In some cases, we may recommend accepting a plea agreement if it will help you avoid some of the more serious penalties that come with a homicide conviction.
Contact our legal team, equipped with six former prosecutors turned criminal defenders, to request a confidential consultation today and learn more about the possible consequences if you are found guilty and which defense strategies are most likely to return a favorable outcome in your case.
When You Can Be Charged with Homicide in Kent
Your homicide defense lawyer in Kent, WA will need to review the charges against you to determine whether homicide charges should apply. Under Chapter 9a.32 RCW, you can face homicide charges if you killed another human being through procurement, omission, or action. However, there are several types of homicide charges that could apply, depending on the specific details of your case.
The consequences you could be subject to will depend on the type of homicide charge you are facing. With a homicide defense lawyer from our firm handling your case, you may be able to avoid a life sentence. Some of the most common types of homicide charges we have challenged include:
- Controlled substances homicide
- Manslaughter
- Vehicular homicide
Controlled Substances Homicide
Under RCW 69.50.415, you could be charged with controlled substance homicide if you deliver controlled substances to someone else and they ultimately pass away after consuming or using the drugs. This is generally tried as a Class B felony.
If convicted, you could face up to $20,000 in fines and spend up to 10 years in a Washington State correctional facility if you do not have a Kent drug crime defense lawyer challenge your charges.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter charges will apply if you are responsible for causing someone else’s death without “malice aforethought.” There are two types of manslaughter charges in Washington state. First-degree manslaughter under RCW 9A.32.060 and second-degree manslaughter under RCW 9A.32.070.
First-degree manslaughter is the more serious of the two manslaughter charges. These charges may apply when you intentionally cause the death of another due to extreme emotional distress. If convicted, you could spend the rest of your life in prison and pay fines not to exceed $50,000.
Second-degree manslaughter charges apply when you did not intend to kill someone, but your actions nonetheless caused someone else’s death. Second-degree manslaughter is generally tried as a Class B felony. If convicted, you could spend up to 20 years in prison and pay fines not to exceed $10,000.
Vehicular Homicide
Under RCW 46.61.520, vehicular homicide charges apply when someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes a collision that results in fatal injuries. It is generally tried as a Class A felony.
If convicted, you could be ordered to pay fines up to $50,000 and spend the rest of your life in prison if you do not get a Kent DUI defense lawyer on your side.
For a free legal consultation with a homicide lawyer serving Kent, call 253-627-4696
Puget Law Group’s Experience and Commitment Are Unmatched
Choosing the right homicide defense attorney in Kent, WA to take on your case is one of the most important decisions you will make after you have been accused of murder or another related crime.
Fortunately, Puget Law Group is comprised of several highly experienced criminal defenders, led by Jared Ausserer, the former “Team Chief” of the Homicide Division of the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office. In fact, we are the only criminal defense law firm in the state of Washington with six former prosecutors on staff.
Our homicide defense law firm takes every case seriously. You are not just a number. We will utilize every resource we have to help you secure your freedom.
With homicide charges being some of the most serious offenses you can face, having a criminal defender you can rely on is in your best interests. With over 150 years of combined experience and thousands of trial verdicts in our favor, you can rely on Puget Law Group to prioritize your defense and consider every possible opportunity to clear your name of the charges against you. Trust in our team to help you get home to your family sooner.
Possible Defenses to Kent Homicide Charges
The specific approach we take to your homicide defense will vary depending on the specific details of your case. In some instances, it may be as simple as providing the district attorney with an alibi so they can verify that you had nothing to do with the crime in question. However, in other cases, we may need to assert a powerful defense strategy, such as:
- Defense of another
- Excusable homicide
- Innocence
- Justifiable homicide
- Self-defense
We may need to hire experts to help support your defense. We may have forensic analysts, toxicology experts, ballistic professionals, and other homicide investigators review the evidence and testify on your behalf. If a plea agreement is offered and the state’s case against you is strong, it is possible we may recommend pleading down to a lesser offense so you can avoid the more serious penalties of a homicide conviction.
Kent Homicide Lawyer Near Me 253-627-4696
Turn to a High-Powered Homicide Defense Law Firm in Kent for Help Today
The criminal justice system is flawed, and sometimes, the odds are stacked against you. When this happens, you need a powerful Kent homicide defense attorney on your side who will work tirelessly to secure your acquittal. With Puget Law Group handling your case, you can feel confident going into your trial.
We will have conducted an intensive analysis of the state’s case against you, challenged the evidence they have presented, and introduced the reasonable doubt you need to walk out of court as a free person.
When you are ready to take charge of your defense but are unsure of where to begin, look no further than our criminal defense team. Complete our secured contact form or call us to schedule your confidential consultation as soon as today.
Click to contact our Kent Criminal Defense Lawyers today 253-627-4696