Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyers
An overview: Homicide, manslaughter, and murder
The term homicide generally refers to the taking of the life of one person by another. Justified homicide entails acting in self-defense or for another legally excused reason. Criminal homicide is divided into three sub-categories, each of which involves different intent: murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter.
Taking the life of another person
Murder: The unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought
- Malice aforethought can include, but is not limited to, premeditation, reckless indifference to life, or an intention to cause serious bodily harm.
Voluntary manslaughter: The intentional killing of another person with adequate provocation
- An example of adequate provocation is the husband who comes home to find his wife in bed with another man and, in a fit of rage and without an opportunity to clear his head, kills both of them.
Involuntary manslaughter: The killing of another person resulting from criminal negligence
- There may be no intent to kill a person, but rather a disregard of what constitutes an appropriate degree of care. This is often seen in cases of driving under the influence.
Because the circumstances of each case are different, the criminal defense lawyer you choose to be your advocate tailors your defense to your case. The criminal defense attorneys of The Daugherty Law Firm are ready to fight vigorously on your behalf.
Virginia criminal defense attorneys
A person convicted of murder can be executed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For this reason, having Northern Virginia criminal defense attorneys fighting for you is especially important. The right lawyers can make a difference in terms of the particular charge, if any, of which you are convicted. We are experienced criminal defense attorneys practicing in Manassas Virginia, and we are prepared to help you fight a murder charge.
Criminal defense law firm serving Fauquier County and Prince William County
The Daugherty Law Firm has defended people accused of murder and manslaughter, and we are ready to defend your rights. A competent Prince William County criminal attorney knows what is at stake and gives your case the attention it needs. The right Manassas criminal lawyer remains alert to the severity of the penalties you face.
When your future is at stake, we will fight for you
When things important to your future are at stake, the lawyers at The Daugherty Law Firm give you straight talk and straight answers. They help you explore all of your options and develop a plan of action that meets your individual goals.
Click here to contact The Daugherty Law Firm online and discuss your legal needs, or call our office at 703-659-2437 to speak with one of our criminal defense lawyers.
We offer reasonable fixed fee arrangements and accept major credit cards.