Polk County Murder Defense Attorney

Florida Murder Laws

Murder charges are among the most serious that could face any person in our society. The core definition of the crime is the "unlawful killing of a human being." Under Florida law, there are several degrees of murder, each with its own level of sentencing:

• 1st-degree murder results from premeditated design or in the course of any of a number of felony crimes such as burglary, trafficking, or robbery, to name a few. Murder in the first degree can also be charged in cases where a death resulted from a drug crime, where a drug that was distributed by a person over the age of 18 resulted in the death of the user. It is a capital felony, punishable by the death sentence or life imprisonment.
• 2nd-degree murder occurs when the killing is perpetrated through an act which is characterized by imminent danger to the victim and which demonstrates a depraved mind regardless of human life. There is no requirement that the murder be premeditated. It can also be charged against the perpetrator of a felony when the victim was killed by another person, but during the perpetration of the felony. Murder in the second degree is a 1st-degree felony, punishable by life imprisonment.
• 3rd-degree murder is any other unlawful killing, not based on any intent to cause a death, which is committed in the course of any felony not included on the list of crime which factor in 1st or 2nd-degree murder. It is a 2nd-degree felony, resulting in imprisonment up to 15 years.

Attempted murder also carries felony charges, with similar sentencing to murder. If you face the threat posed to your future by a murder accusation, you should make no delay in contacting a Lakeland criminal defense attorney who can consult you regarding the case and help you build a defense to help you avoid the severe punishments which would follow a conviction.

Murder Defense Lawyer in Polk County

I am William D. Sites, Attorney at Law, and I have been practicing criminal defense in our community for over 20 years. I know many of the prosecutors and judges who are likely to be involved in your case, and I have a long history of achieving a successful outcome for my clients. There are many approaches to a murder defense, from seeking a reduction of the charges, to attacking the legality of any evidence used by the prosecution, to arguing for your innocence. Each case must be treated individually, and when you come to my office, I will provide you with an in-depth consultation to determine the best course of action.

Contact a Polk County murder defense attorney for aggressive defense against your charges and the devastating consequences posed by a guilty sentence.