Tampa Murder Defense Attorney

Experienced And Compassionate Murder Defense Lawyers Serving Tampa, Florida

While many criminal charges come with steep consequences, murder is one of the offenses that carries the maximum penalty. So, if you’ve been accused of homicide and are seeking the help of a Tampa murder defense attorney, you’re on the right track. You should not risk defending yourself.

Per Florida Statute Section 782.04(1)(a), murder happens when someone is killed unlawfully. Since the victim isn’t alive to give their testimony, the prosecution has to rely on circumstantial evidence to prove their case. This means that even if you didn’t kill anyone, you can still be convicted of murder just because it looks like you did. However, a good defense team may discover inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case and leverage it to secure your freedom.

At Taracks & Associates, our experienced murder defense attorneys understand that your life is at stake in a murder trial. As such, we are compassionate to your plight. We will go above and beyond to secure the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of your case.

 

What Are the Degrees of Murder in Tampa?

Learn How Severe Your Murder Charge Is

Murder, in Tampa, is categorized into three levels, based on severity. They are:

First-Degree Murder 

Murder is classified as “first degree” when the perpetrator carefully planned or premeditated it. An instance is where the accused purchased a firearm in advance, intending to use it to kill the victim when the opportunity arises.

It’s also first-degree murder when the victim dies as a consequence of the suspect’s committing another violent felony. For example, if the deceased died while the accused was sexually abusing them, the offender can be charged with murder in the first degree.

First-degree murders are capital felonies. This means that anyone convicted of this crime is at risk of the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Second-Degree Murder 

Unlike first-degree murder, second-degree murders aren’t premeditated. Instead, they’re the result of dangerous actions that were carried out in the heat of the moment or out of provocation. This category of murder carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison and hefty fines.

Second-degree murders are referred to as crimes of passion. A good example is when a person’s rage at finding their lover with someone else pushes them to immediately strike a fatal blow to their rival.

To prove second-degree murders, the victim’s death must be shown to have resulted from an action of a defendant with a depraved mind. In other words, the suspect carried out a dangerous act that showed that they had no regard for human life.

A person can also be charged with second-degree murder by being an accomplice in a felony murder. This means that the accomplice assisted the main perpetrator in committing a separate felony offense that led to the death.

Third-Degree Murder

Florida is one of the few states that recognizes third-degree murders. In a third-degree murder, the offender was committing a nonviolent felony when the victim died. This is punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment and hefty fines.

 

What Will My Tampa Murder Defense Attorney Do for Me?

The Prosecutor May Be Tough, But We Are Tougher

These are the primary roles our defense team will undertake to ensure you have a fair fighting chance against your murder charge:

• Thoroughly investigate your case to find inconsistencies and discover evidence that vindicates you or provides reasonable doubt against the prosecutors’ claims
• Evaluate the officers’ conduct to determine if they violated your constitutional rights during your arrest or when gathering evidence against you
• Review your case to determine if you have valid defenses that can dismiss or reduce the severity of your murder charge
• Aggressively represent your interests at trial by cross-examining witnesses, selecting jurors, and objecting to improper testimonies
• Offer you solid legal advice and guide you to make well-informed decisions in regard to your case
• Provide you with the moral support you need to navigate this difficult time
• Serve as an intermediary between you and your family, allaying their fears and keeping them updated on your case.

 

Contact us now for more information on how we can help to fight for your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ask Us Anything; We’re Always Available to Respond

A murder charge will naturally leave you with numerous questions and concerns. We have provided answers to the most common ones below:

What Are The Defenses to A Murder Charge in Florida?

Defenses to a Florida murder charge include self-defense, defense of another, lack of intent, mistaken identity, insanity, alibi, intoxication, and many more. Murder may be excusable when it was accidental or justifiable if the suspect believed that they or someone else was in imminent threat of death in a violent situation.

Do I Have Rights as Someone Standing Trial for Murder in Tampa? 

Yes, you still have certain constitutional rights as a person accused of or arrested for murder in Tampa. For example, under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, you’re protected from unreasonable searches and seizures. Meanwhile, the Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination and being tried twice for the same offense. Our attorneys will let you in on the other rights you have during an initial consultation.

Can I Get A Plea Bargain? 

Yes, it’s possible to strike a plea deal with the prosecutor in your murder case in Florida, typically as a last resort. In a plea bargain, your lawyer will work with the prosecutor to reach a compromise that lessens your charges and reduces your penalty. Your attorney will critically evaluate your case to determine what works best for you.

What Is The Statute of Limitations for Murder Charges in Florida? 

While many crimes in Florida have a stipulated time frame within which they must be prosecuted, serious offenses like murder don’t. In other words, there’s no statute of limitations for murder cases, as the prosecutor can file charges many years after the date of the alleged crime.

What’s The Difference between Murder And Manslaughter?

Manslaughter and murder involve someone’s death and are both considered homicide, so it’s easy to confuse them. However, while murder connotes that there was “malice aforethought” or an intent to kill, manslaughter is unintentional and is divided into voluntary, involuntary, and DUI manslaughter. If you’ve been arrested for manslaughter, our attorneys can help.

 

Get Help — Contact Our Aggressive Tampa Murder Defense Lawyers Now

Our Competent Attorneys Are Eager to Get Your Life Back on Track

While a murder charge is scary, always remember that all hope is not lost. With our dedicated Tampa murder defense attorneys on your side, you have a chance to defend yourself and regain your freedom.

At Taracks & Associates, tough cases don’t scare us. Even in the worst-case scenarios, our legal team is committed to ensuring that you get the best possible outcomes.