Murder and Homicide

Phoenix Homicide Defense                                 

Defending Murder & Manslaughter Charges

If you have been charged with committing murder or manslaughter, you must contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. Taking another person's life is the most serious crime you can commit. You risk spending the rest of your life in prison. You should not put your future into the hands of an attorney who hasn't represented people in murder cases. Attorney Raymond Kimble regularly represents people charged with murder and manslaughter. Additionally, Raymond Kimble has conducted a number of jury trials involving clients charged with First Degree Murder. Mr. Kimble has the knowledge, experience and ability to protect your rights and relentlessly fight to clear you of your charges.

Types of Homicide Charges:

There are several types of murder charges as person may face if they are accused of killing another person. These include:

  • Negligent Homicide: A person commits negligent homicide if with criminal negligence the person causes the death of another person, including an unborn child.
  • Manslaughter: A person commits manslaughter by:

A. Recklessly causing the death of another person; or
B. Committing murder upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion resulting from adequate provocation by the victim; or
C. Intentionally providing the physical means that another person uses to commit suicide, with the knowledge that the person intends to commit suicide

  • Second Degree Murder: A person commits second degree murder if without premeditation:

A. The person intentionally causes the death of another person, including an unborn child or, as a result of intentionally causing the death of another person, causes the death of an unborn child; or
B. Knowing that the person's conduct will cause death or serious physical injury, the person causes the death of another person, including an unborn child or, as a result of knowingly causing the death of another person, causes the death of an unborn child; or
C. Under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life, the person recklessly engages in conduct that creates a grave risk of death and thereby causes the death of another person, including an unborn child or, as a result of recklessly causing the death of another person, causes the death of an unborn child.

  • First Degree Murder: A person commits first degree murder if:

A. Intending or knowing that the person's conduct will cause death, the person causes the death of another person, including an unborn child, with premeditation or, as a result of causing the death of another person with premeditation, causes the death of an unborn child.
B Acting either alone or with one or more other persons the person commits or attempts to commit sexual conduct with a minor, sexual assault , molestation of a child, terrorism, marijuana offenses, dangerous drug offenses, narcotics offenses, involving or using minors in drug offenses , drive by shooting, kidnapping , burglary, arson, robbery, escape, child abuse, unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle and, in the course of and in furtherance of the offense or immediate flight from the offense, the person or another person causes the death of any person. This is known as Felony Murder.
C. Intending or knowing that the person's conduct will cause death to a law enforcement officer, the person causes the death of a law enforcement officer who is in the line of duty.

Murder & Manslaughter Penalties in Arizona

A person convicted of Negligent Homicide may be eligible for probation or faces prosecution for a class 4 felony and a presumptive prison term of 2.5 years. Manslaughter is a class 2 felony and is involves a prison term between 7 and 21 years. The penalties for First and Second Degree are incredibly harsh. People charged with, or convicted of First or Second Degree Murder face the possibility of 25 years in prison, prison for the remainder of their lives or, in capital cases, even the death penalty.

Defending Manslaughter and Murder Charges in Arizona:

Although defending against cases involving the death of another person is difficult, a skilled criminal defense attorney can recognize weaknesses in the prosecution's case and assist in exonerating you from these serious charges or negotiating a favorable outcome. Some potential defenses in manslaughter and murder cases include:

Contact a Homicide Defense Attorney Today: (480) 833-8613

If you have been accused of murder or manslaughter, Attorney Raymond Kimble can provide you with the level of superior attention, dedication, and representation you need to be successful in court. With over 20 years of experience, Raymond Kimble is extremely familiar with the state laws that govern murder and manslaughter cases in Arizona and has conducted a number of First Degree Murder trials in recent years. As an experienced Phoenix murder & manslaughter defense lawyer, Mr. Kimble understands what is at stake, as well as the implications a conviction of this nature can take on your life. Mr. Kimble knows how to prepare a solid defense, challenge the prosecution's evidence, negotiate a reduction of the charges or fight your case at trial.

Recent Criminal Defense Victories

 "...he believed in his client's innocence, took the case to trial and at the end prevailed. Super Job."

P.C. A Criminal Defense Client