Tampa Murder Lawyer
Murder is the most serious crime that anyone can commit. In many cases, Florida’s criminal justice system penalizes convicted murderers with life-long prison sentences, or the death penalty. There are defenses to murder charges, such as self defense under Florida’s stand your ground law, but you need an experienced Tampa murder lawyer on your side to help prove this line of defense in court. At the Matassini Law Firm, P.A., our murder lawyers do whatever it takes to keep our clients out of prison.
First Degree Murder
First degree murder is the premeditated killing of another person, or a felony murder (which occurs when anyone is killed—intentionally or not—during the commission of a felony offense). Premeditation occurs when an offender plans in advance to kill another person, intentionally carrying out said plan. However, the amount of time between planning (premeditation) and the act of killing does not need to be weeks, days, or even hours, as opposed to popular belief. Premeditation can occur in a very short period of time—even seconds. The second type of killing that counts as first degree murder is felony murder. This is any death that occurs during the commission of certain types of crimes, such as robbery, carjacking, or burglary (to name a few). Any death that occurs during one of these felonies, whether intentional or not, is first degree murder, even if the death is that of a fellow accomplice. The penalty for first degree murder is life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.
Second Degree Murder
Second degree murder occurs when an offender kills with a depraved/evil mind, or if an individual is an accomplice to a felony murder. A depraved/evil mind occurs when someone intentionally acts with no regard for human life. This may seem similar to first degree murder, but there is no premeditation involved in second degree murder. The second way someone can be charged with second degree murder is by being an accomplice to a “felony murder,” as described above. The maximum penalty for second degree murder is up to life in prison.
Third Degree Murder
Third degree murder is the killing of a person during the commission of a non-violent felony, such as selling narcotics to that person, who later dies of a drug overdose. Third-degree murder penalties include up to 15 years in prison and 15 years of probation.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is the killing of a person without malice aforethought, meaning there was no intent to kill or cause harm. There are two types of manslaughter: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary is the more serious form of manslaughter, though both carry stiff penalties of up to 15 years in prison.
Call a Tampa Murder Lawyer Today
There are few criminal charges as serious as a murder accusation. Whether you are facing first degree, second degree, third degree, or manslaughter charges, our Tampa murder lawyers have the knowledge, experience, and resources to take on your case and win. Call The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. today at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation.
