Have you been accused of homicide in Frederick, Maryland? When your freedom and future are at stake, Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys can help. Call (301) 381-1993 today to schedule a free consultation with a Frederick homicide lawyer who is ready to start protecting your rights immediately.
A homicide conviction can carry life-altering consequences, including decades behind bars. Acting quickly matters. An experienced defense attorney can begin reviewing the charges, evaluating the evidence, and building a strategy to defend you from the very start.
Why Should I Call Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys if I Was Arrested on Homicide Charges in Frederick, MD?
Homicide charges are always a serious matter. You deserve to have the most experienced possible criminal defense attorneys in your corner. You can trust Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys, an award-winning law firm with a proven track record of success.
Here’s why clients in Frederick, MD, choose us:
- Our attorneys have over 125 years of combined experience. You can count on us to develop the strongest legal defense strategy possible in your case.
- Founding partner Andrew Alpert is the only board-certified DUI defense attorney in Maryland.
- When you hire us, you’ll have a defense team that will negotiate with prosecutors behind the scenes, working hard to get your charges dropped or reduced.
- You can count on us to secure every shred of evidence that can be used to prove your innocence.
- Over 400 satisfied clients have given us five-star Google ratings for our success over the years.
- Our board-certified Frederick criminal defense lawyers are prepared to fight for you regardless of the severity of the charges.
Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential consultation with a Frederick criminal defense attorney who can help.
Overview of the Criminal Homicide Laws in Maryland
Every murder and homicide charge in Maryland is a serious offense. However, there are multiple levels of severity.
You could potentially be charged with:
- First-degree murder, the most serious type of homicide charge in Maryland
- Second-degree murder
- Manslaughter
- Vehicular homicide
If you’ve been charged with any type of homicide crime, your future is at risk. It’s important to hire the most experienced possible Frederick homicide attorney.
It’s also important to understand the possible charges. The following can give you a sense of the types of charges that may apply.
First-Degree Murder Charges in Maryland
Under Maryland Criminal Code § 2-201, first-degree murder involves a deliberate, premeditated, and willful killing. Prosecutors may also pursue first-degree charges if a death results from conduct such as lying in wait or poisoning.
To secure a conviction, the prosecution must generally prove:
- The defendant caused another person’s death and acted with deliberate intent
- The conduct directly resulted in the victim’s death
Maryland law also classifies felony murder as first-degree murder. A defendant may face first-degree charges if a death occurs during the commission or attempted commission of certain serious felonies, including:
- Violent crimes
- Sexual offenses
- Arson
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Escape
- Crimes involving destructive devices
Charges may also arise from conspiracy or solicitation to commit first-degree murder. A conviction carries the most severe penalties under Maryland law, including life imprisonment with or without the possibility of parole.
Second-Degree Murder Charges in Maryland
Second-degree murder is murder without the premeditation or planning aspect required for first-degree murder convictions.
To convict on second-degree murder charges, prosecutors must generally show that:
- The defendant had a “depraved heart”, or
- The defendant demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life
Typically, these elements are proven by showing that the defendant did something dangerous that posed a significant risk of serious bodily harm or death.
Second-degree murder is a serious felony that’s punishable by up to 40 years in prison. Even an attempt to commit second-degree murder is a serious crime, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Voluntary Manslaughter in Maryland
Most states divide manslaughter into voluntary and involuntary offenses by statute. Maryland law takes a different approach, treating manslaughter as a single common-law offense that may be charged as either voluntary or involuntary depending on the circumstances.
The prosecution can reduce a murder charge to voluntary manslaughter if the defendant caused the death of another person:
- Without premeditation, and
- After adequate provocation
Maryland law limits what qualifies as adequate provocation. For example, Maryland Criminal Code § 2-207 excludes discovering a spouse engaged in sexual relations with another person. Courts may reduce second-degree murder charges to voluntary manslaughter when sufficient mitigation is present.
For manslaughter, defendants could face up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $500, or both.
Vehicular Homicide in Maryland
A person commits vehicular homicide in Maryland when they cause the death of another person while operating a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. The law applies regardless of the type of vehicle involved.
For a vehicular homicide conviction, penalties include up to ten years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines, or both. On a second conviction, the penalties increase. Repeat offenders can face up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
What Are the Penalties for a Homicide Conviction in Frederick, Maryland?
The penalties for a homicide conviction always depend on the nature of the charge. If found guilty, a defendant will always face significant prison time–possibly up to life in prison for first-degree murder. Substantial financial penalties are also possible.
Maryland abolished the death penalty in 2013. The maximum prison sentence is life in prison without the possibility of parole. To take parole off the table, the state is required to provide notice of its intent to seek this punishment.
What Types of Collateral Consequences Might I Face if Convicted for Homicide in Maryland?
Even if a conviction doesn’t subject the defendant to life in prison, the collateral consequences of a homicide conviction are always serious. Homicide is an incredibly violent crime. If you’re convicted, you’ll face a permanent criminal record.
Additional examples of the collateral consequences that may apply after a homicide conviction include:
- Difficulty finding employment or housing
- Immigration problems and even deportation
- Loss of professional licenses
- Loss of your right to own a firearm
- Supervised parole
- Loss of child custody or visitation rights
- Damage to personal and professional relationships
- Reputational damage
Even after you’re charged, the penalties are not automatic. The prosecution must prove each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s important to seek legal advice as quickly as possible if you’re charged with a violent crime.
If you’re facing homicide charges, call our team at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys for immediate legal assistance. The sooner we start building your defense, the better.
What Legal Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of Committing Homicide in Maryland?
Again, the state prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to convict on homicide charges. Our lawyers in Frederick have the experience and resources to make that as difficult as possible.
You can count on us to build the strong legal defense you deserve. Depending on the circumstances, possible elements of your defense may include:
- Lack of evidence to prove you acted with malice or premeditation
- Lack of intent to cause the victim’s death
- Challenges to witness’s credibility
- Challenges to the validity of scientific or forensic evidence, such as DNA evidence
- Actual innocence defenses, such as an alibi, racial bias, or mistaken identity
- False accusations
- The “imperfect” defense of self-defense, meaning that you believed your actions were justified to protect yourself or another person
- Constitutional violations, which can result in evidence being excluded from consideration
- Mental incapacity
All homicide cases are different. In every case, however, you should expect the district attorney to devote the full weight of their resources toward proving their case.
Immediate legal assistance is critical to any successful defense strategy. Our goal is always to obtain a not guilty verdict–or even have the charges dismissed before a trial becomes necessary.
Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation With a Frederick Homicide Lawyer Today
Our attorneys at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys have over 125 years of experience in criminal defense law. We know exactly what you’re up against if you’ve been charged with homicide in Frederick, Maryland. The accusations alone can be terrifying.
Hiring an experienced Frederick homicide lawyer is the best way you can protect yourself. Our lawyers stand up to state prosecutors on a daily basis. We have the tools to fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Call us today to arrange a time to discuss your case.