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Facing a homicide charge is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and distressing experiences anyone can go through. The consequences are severe, and the legal process can be overwhelming. In these dire circumstances, having a skilled and compassionate legal team by your side is not just an option; it’s a necessity.
Facing a homicide charge is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and distressing experiences anyone can go through. The consequences are severe, and the legal process can be overwhelming. In these dire circumstances, having a skilled and compassionate legal team by your side is not just an option; it’s a necessity.
At Alcock & Associates, we understand the gravity of homicide charges and the impact they can have on the lives of the accused and their loved ones. Our team of experienced homicide attorneys has successfully represented many people charged with homicide offenses. We are here to provide unwavering support, expert legal guidance, and a relentless commitment to defending your rights.
The most important concept to remember when dealing with a homicide case is that homicide charges carry a wide range of penalties. Prosecutors have substantial discretion to seek shorter prison sentences, life in prison or even the death penalty.
Because of the fact that these crimes are of a serious nature, we ask you to contact a homicide attorney right away if you believe that you are in need of legal representation. Please keep in mind that in the United States, you have the right to speak with an attorney at any time, and you do not need to answer any questions that may incriminate you. Stating and declaring that you want to speak with an attorney will keep the police from questioning you and give you a reasonable opportunity to contact a lawyer.
If you or a loved one are facing homicide charges in Arizona, please contact Alcock & Associates immediately for a confidential consultation.
What is Homicide?
Homicide is when one person kills another, but homicide charges are not one-size-fits-all. There are different types of homicides in the State of Arizona, categorized based on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the defendant’s mindset at the time of the offense,
Manslaughter is recklessly causing the death of another person. Being reckless is when a person is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists. The reckless act must be a shocking deviation from what a reasonable person would do. Basically, a reckless person should have known better but did it anyway. Being voluntarily intoxicated (drunk) is not an excuse for being reckless. The classic example of manslaughter is a drunk driver who crashes and kills another driver. Another example of manslaughter is accidentally discharging a weapon and killing another person.
Arizona has a somewhat unique manslaughter law on the books. If a person knows another person wants to commit suicide and provides them with the means necessary to kill themselves, that person can be charged with manslaughter. For example, if someone is suicidal and a person gives them a gun to commit suicide, that person could then be charged with manslaughter.
A person convicted of manslaughter usually faces a range of 7-21 years in prison.
Below we have provided the manslaughter statute as defined by A.R.S. § 13-1103:
There are four elements or factors that the State must prove in order to convict an individual of manslaughter:
1) The person accused of manslaughter did; 2) recklessly; 3) cause; 4) the death of another person.
The State or the prosecution must prove that the defendant they have accused of manslaughter is the person who is actually responsible for the death of another. That means a prosecutor will have to prove that a person was doing something likely to seriously injure or kill another, and someone actually died as a result.
Manslaughter is commonly charged when one person kills another while doing something dangerous, but that individual didn’t intend to kill the other person. Manslaughter is often charged as a result of some kind of reckless driving like excessive speed, racing, or DUI. Manslaughter may also be charged.
Manslaughter is considered a class 2 felony.
Causing death by use of a vehicle is usually charged when an individual, whose license is revoked or suspended, causes an accident that results in the death of another person. It is very similar to negligent homicide. The difference between the two is that the prosecutor does not need to prove that the person accused of the crime was behaving negligently. Instead, the prosecutor only needs to prove that the person who caused the accident was not allowed to be driving a car at the time the accident occurred.
The team at Alcock & Associates has an abundance of experience with handling robbery cases. Our attorneys know how to try Robbery cases before a jury and how to negotiate -depending on what is needed. You can consult with an attorney about your Robbery charges for free. We offer payment plans and affordable fees. Our attorneys will put the work in to get you the best result available. Your attorney will meet with you regularly and keep you up to date on your case. They will discuss with you the possible resolutions that you have available and the risks and benefits associated with each option.
If you have been charged with a robbery offense, our experienced team of criminal defense attorneys is ready to help you.
We have handled hundreds of robbery cases and we know what it takes to win. Our consultations are free and we offer affordable fee and payment plans.
Read below and watch the video to learn more about robbery in Arizona or give us a call to set up an informative meeting.
Robbery is similar in nature to theft, but it requires either a use of force or threatened use of force. Robbery can also be charged as a dangerous offense if a deadly weapon was used. As a consequence, people charged with robbery in Arizona can face a huge range of punishments.
Robbery is the type of offense that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office takes a hard line against. It is common for plea offers for robbery offenses to include significant jail or prison time. We have former prosecutors on staff who have handled hundreds of robbery charges. We know what is needed to defend you and protect you.
Aggravating Factors That Make Robbery More Serious
If you or a loved one have been charged with a robbery in Arizona, please feel free to contact our attorneys to schedule a free consultation. Our team includes former felony prosecutors and a former judge. We know how to handle serious felonies and we have a long track record of winning cases.
Here are some frequently asked questions about homicides in Arizona:
Murder is just another term for homicide. They can be used interchangeably.
That depends on the case. A good defense for murder is usually “I didn’t do it.” That defense is much stronger if someone else may have committed the murder. If there is sufficient evidence to indicate someone else committed the murder, that is called a third-party alternative defense.
Sometimes the stronger defense is self-defense. Self-defense is an affirmative defense. As such, a person acting in self-defense cannot be culpable for a homicide. If a defendant claims self-defense, then the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense at trial. That is a big burden for the State. Defense of a third person is another affirmative defense. If a defendant kills a person to save another person, that is also a strong defense.
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is only a defense if consuming the drugs or alcohol was involuntary. For example, if a person is drugged and then kills someone, they would not be culpable for the death. But if a person drinks at a bar, drives under the influence, and kills a pedestrian, they would still be culpable for the death.
Yes, and Arizona loves to put people to death. A death penalty case is called a capital case. Pima and Maricopa Counties are among the top in the United States for death penalty cases.
Most homicide cases last at least a year. A first-degree murder case can last 2-3 years. A second-degree murder case can last 1-2 years. A manslaughter can take 6 months to a year.
Yes, and we’re good at them. We represent several clients in first-degree and second-degree murder cases. We also have great success against manslaughter charges.
Here at Alcock and Associates our team and staff are dedicated to helping and representing YOU. The first step is to understand your case. We will take the time to get to know you and your legal situation so that we are best able to answer all of your questions. After your initial consultation with our attorneys, you will know what you are facing and what can happen to your case.
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Alcock & Associates P.C.
2 North Central Avenue, 26th Floor
Phoenix AZ 85004
