Westminster Homicide Defense Attorney

Quality Legal Representation for Criminal Defense in Maryland

When you or a loved one faces the grave situation of a homicide charge in Maryland, it's essential to have a reliable and experienced defense attorney by your side. At Albers & Associates, we fully comprehend the severity of such cases and are committed to providing unwavering legal representation for our clients in Towson.

Our legal team possesses the experience and tenacity required to meticulously investigate each case. We leave no stone unturned, ensuring that crucial evidence is uncovered to construct a robust defense strategy tailored to your unique situation.

Call (443) 665-8030 today or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.

Understanding Maryland's Homicide Charges

Homicide can be classified as either murder or manslaughter based on the circumstances surrounding the death. The main difference between manslaughter and murder lies in the level of intent and culpability associated with each offense.

Murder is a more serious offense and typically involves a higher level of intent. It is the intentional killing of another person with "malice aforethought," which means the perpetrator has the specific intent to cause death or serious bodily harm to the victim. Murder is premeditated and willful, often planned in advance.

In Maryland, murder is categorized into the following two degrees:

• First-Degree Murder: This is the most severe classification and involves a deliberate killing that is planned with premeditation and malice aforethought. In other words, the perpetrator intentionally and consciously decides to commit the murder. Convictions for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder typically result in life imprisonment with or without the possibility of parole.
• Second-Degree Murder: This category encompasses intentional killings that lack premeditation and malice aforethought. It may occur in the heat of passion or impulsively without prior planning. Second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 30 years.

Manslaughter, on the other hand, is the unlawful killing of another person without the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. Unlike murder, manslaughter lacks malice aforethought. Instead, it occurs either in the heat of passion, under circumstances that mitigate the offender's culpability, or as a result of reckless and negligent behavior.

Manslaughter is often categorized into two types:

• Voluntary Manslaughter: This occurs when a person intentionally kills another in the heat of passion or sudden provocation. The offender's actions are a direct response to extreme emotional distress, although there is no premeditation involved. This offense is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years.
• Involuntary Manslaughter: Involuntary manslaughter results from unintentional acts that lead to the death of another person due to reckless behavior, criminal negligence, or failure to exercise reasonable care. This offense carries a maximum prison term of two years and/or a fine of up to $500.

Your Defense Starts Now

Our expert legal team will review your case, explain your options, and provide the dedicated representation you need. With Albers & Associates by your side, you can confidently face the challenges ahead, knowing that you have an unwavering ally fighting for your future.

Some potential legal defenses to homicide in Maryland are as follows:

• Self-Defense: The accused may claim they acted in self-defense, believing their life was in immediate danger or facing serious bodily harm, and used lethal force as a necessary means to protect themselves.
• Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, this defense asserts that the accused used lethal force to protect another person from imminent harm or death.
• Alibi: The defense may present evidence that the accused was in a different location at the time of the homicide and, therefore, could not have committed the crime.
• Mistaken Identity: The defense may assert that the accused was wrongly identified as the perpetrator of the crime.
• Provocation: In certain situations, the defense may argue that the accused was provoked into committing the homicide, potentially leading to a charge reduction from murder to manslaughter.
• Accident: The defense may argue that the death was an unintended tragic accident and not a result of any intentional or reckless conduct.
• Intoxication: In some cases, intoxication from drugs or alcohol may be used as a defense if it can be shown that the accused was unable to form the necessary intent to commit the crime.
• Duress: The accused may claim that they were compelled to commit the homicide under threat of serious bodily harm or death.
• Insanity: The defense of insanity claims that the accused was not mentally capable of understanding the wrongfulness of their actions at the time of the homicide.

When facing homicide charges, time is of the essence. Contact Albers & Associates today at (443) 665-8030 for a confidential consultation.