Denton Criminal Lawyer

Voluntary Manslaughter

The taking of another person’s life is considered by many people to be the most grievous crime that a person can commit. The criminal justice system recognizes that there are many different circumstances that could potentially result in the loss of life and it makes an effort to distinguish between these incidents. While the loved ones of the deceased may not always appreciate taking so much subtlety into consideration, this is an essential element of ensuring that there is a degree of fairness in the prosecution of such a crime.

If you have been arrested for your role in the death of another person but there were mitigating circumstances involved, it is critical that you consult with a skilled and experienced attorney immediately. It may be possible to motivate the pursuit of lesser charges or even to seek their wholesale dismissal. Contact the Denton criminal defense lawyers of Alexander & Associates at 972-420-6560 to discuss the facts of your case.

Understanding Voluntary Manslaughter

Murder is the most serious charge that can be sought in a case involving a person’s fatality, though some jurisdictions have provisions pertaining to factors that constitute a heightened offense, such as hate crime or gun crime laws. Voluntary manslaughter is regarded as more serious than involuntary manslaughter and less severe than murder. Some issues that may warrant consideration regarding voluntary manslaughter charges are:

• Provocation by the victim which would have incited any reasonable person to lose control of his or her actions
• Imperfect self-defense, when an individual wrongly believed that the victim posed a threat to his or her life
• Intention to kill can be present in some instances

Contact Us

Let us help you to avoid facing needlessly harsh charges and to defend your freedom. Contact the Denton criminal lawyers of Alexander & Associates at 972-420-6560 for a free consultation.