How to Fight a Murder Charge With a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Tampa

If you have been accused of murder in the State of Florida, you know that your reputation, employment, and livelihood are at stake. If convicted, you could face life in probation, life in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, and possibly the death penalty. That’s why if you or a loved one has been charged with murder or another form of homicide, it’s crucial to contact a highly-experienced, dedicated criminal defense lawyer in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm as soon as possible.

Our firm has over a decade worth of experience defending clients in the State of Florida and has developed a reputation as a team of fierce litigators and representatives of our clients in the courtroom. Our knowledge of law, ability to communicate, and legal expertise will provide you with unparalleled representation to assist you in your time of need and work towards getting your murder charges dropped. 

Find Weaknesses in the Prosecution’s Case

When you hire one of the criminal defense lawyers in Tampa from The Rickman Law Firm, our first step will be to investigate the circumstances of your case. Even if you are guilty, there are steps we can take and defenses we can employ that could result in your charges being reduced to a lesser offense. Our first goal is to find weaknesses or potential shortfalls in the prosecution case, such as discrepancies or inconsistencies in physical evidence, witness testimony, and so on. 

This is because, in order for you to be found guilty of specific murder charges, the prosecution must prove certain elements beyond a reasonable doubt. For example, you can be charged with first-degree murder in Florida if you have committed premeditated murder, meaning that you planned out or thought about the murder in advance. Thus, the prosecution must prove that you intentionally killed and in killing had some thought, reflection, or plan at any time prior to the act. If the prosecution cannot prove that you had a plan, thought, or reflection prior to the killing, your charges may be reduced to second-degree murder. Other defenses to murder charges include the following: 

  • Duress or necessity
  • Self-defense
  • Intoxication
  • Insanity
  • Diminished capacity
  • Mistaken identity
  • Defense of others
  • Inadvertent act

File Legal Motions to Dismiss

Prosecutors can file multiple charges or add inappropriate charges to the case in order to place pressure on the defendant to plead guilty. When appropriate, a criminal defense lawyer in Tampa will file legal motions to dismiss these improper or unsupported charges that arose during any stage of the criminal proceeding. This is a critical aspect of the role of the defense attorney as it helps to drastically reduce the potential penalties that the defendant will face and may force the prosecutor to provide a better plea deal. 

A number of other legal motions also exist, such as a motion to suppress illegal evidence and a motion to prevent certain prosecution testimony, all of which help to weaken the prosecution’s case and strengthen the position of the defendant. Suppression of illegal evidence is a great way to withhold the government’s ability to use abusive force, while the motion to prevent certain prosecution testimony is useful for preventing the prosecutor from using evidence that is not allowed under the evidence code. 

Present a Strong Defense

By far, the most important step in defending yourself, your reputation, and your future against potential murder charges is to provide an airtight defense. If you hire one of our criminal defense lawyers in Tampa who can present a strong defense in the courtroom and demonstrate to both the judge and the jury that the evidence presented does not prove your guilt, you’ll have a significantly better chance of winning your trial and avoiding severe legal consequences. 

For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm at (813) 999-0502 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

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