Fort Lauderdale Murder Attorney

Representation for Homicide Charges in Broward County, FL

Murder is one of the most serious criminal charges that can be brought down upon someone, and the law severely punishes those who are convicted. If you are accused of murder, the first move you should make is to get an lawyer to work on your defense. What a Fort Lauderdale murder attorney does is look at the details and the evidence in your case and in the prosecutor arguments to see if there are any holes or weaknesses. Your attorney then uses that to defend you.

Take a look at the benefits of hiring Hager & Schwartz, P.A. to handle your case:

• Defense from former prosecutors
• 24/7 availability
• Free initial consultations
• Decades of experience

Find out more about your legal options by calling our Fort Lauderdale murder lawyers today at (954) 840-8713!

Charges for Murder in Florida

Murder is often called “unjustifiable homicide,” which essentially means taking someone else’s life in circumstances that cannot be justified (such as self-defense or the defense of another).

First-Degree Murder Penalties

With first-degree murder, the act must be premeditated, or planned with malice aforethought. This can include poisoning, lying in wait, imprisonment, torture, etc. If the death of another individual occurred during the commission of another felony, this can also be charged as first-degree murder.

The penalties include:

• Up to 15 years in prison
• A maximum of 30 years if a firearm is used

Second-Degree Murder Penalties

Second-degree murder charges can be brought against an individual in cases where a death was caused in a manner that shows an extreme disregard for human life. This can include acts of unlawful distribution of certain substances that may cause the death of the user, for example.

The penalties include:

• Maximum of life in prison
• A minimum of 25 years if a firearm is used

Third-Degree Murder Penalties

• Up to 15 years in prison
• A maximum of 30 years if a firearm is used

Defense Strategies for Charges of Murder in Florida

The defendant's state of mind is what differentiates murder from other offenses, like manslaughter. If the intent was premeditated and calculated, this would be considered murder If the act was accidental and/or unintentional, this would be considered manslaughter under the law.

Also, any mental condition that may have affected a person's judgment may be taken into account, such as:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Medication side-effects
• Temporary insanity
• Depression

If the killing was not intentional, it may be considered reckless killing, criminally negligent homicide, or manslaughter, as motive and/or intent must be proven by prosecution to make a valid case against an individual for murder charges. These cases are understandably emotionally charged. There are often members of the deceased person's families who are intent upon seeing you convicted. In many cases, the charge is unfounded as the death occurred due to self-defense, or the accused was not involved in any way. Whatever the situation is, you need legal help quickly of the highest quality.

That is where the Fort Lauderdale murder lawyers from Hager & Schwartz, P.A. can step in and handle your case. Contact us so that we can begin crafting your defense!