Greeley Attorney for Murder and Homicide Charges

Murder and homicide are serious offenses; if you face charges that involve the death of another person, you will feel the full weight of the justice system. The following charges are related to the death of another person:

• Murder in the First Degree – C.R.S. 18-3-102
• Murder in the Second Degree – C.R.S. 18-3-103
• Manslaughter – C.R.S. 18-3-104
• Criminally Negligent Homicide – C.R.S. 18-3-105
• Vehicular Homicide – C.R.S. 18-3-106
• First Degree Murder of a Peace Office or Firefighter – C.R.S. 18-3-107

If someone has died as a result of your actions, whether it is because you sold an illegal substance, occurred as a result of another crime, or were simply negligent, you are facing serious consequences. The sentence for a murder charge ranges from a Class 1 felony, to a Class 5 felony. The maximum sentence for first degree murder is life imprisonment in the Colorado Department of Corrections, or a death sentence. It is vital to your freedom that you have an experienced murder and homicide lawyer for Weld County and Greeley fighting by your side.

Why You Need an Experienced Murder and Homicide Lawyer

You will feel the full weight of the justice system if you face charges that involve the death of another person. You must fight hard for your freedom. Here at the O’Malley Law Office, we are experienced murder and homicide lawyers in Weld County working for you. We defend clients who are charged with murder or homicide, manslaughter, or vehicular homicide. We know that the whole story must be told, whether it was the death of a stranger, a child, or a friend. We know you feel horrible, and that your life is very much on the line. We will be your advocate in court. If you choose to have us represent you on your murder case, it is our job to uphold your constitutional rights, not judge your actions. We are here to explore every possible defense for your case. Contact us to schedule a free consultation – we will talk with you about your case. We will discuss your options, and you will be free to decide whether we are the right fit for your case.

The Police Often Manipulate Evidence

Most murder charges will be dependent on your intent. This means that the jury must discover all the facts and details of the case, not just the ones revealed by the police, sheriff or other government personnel in Logan, Morgan or Weld County. The police often speak with witnesses who will present only their side of the case, and manipulate facts and evidence for their own benefit. We don’t rely solely on police reports for our case. We coordinate a well-prepared defense with a network of expert investigators, witnesses and counselors who will appear in court on your behalf. If you have been charged with homicide in Greeley, Windsor or Eaton, you will have a no-contact order, and can’t contact people who could be favorable witnesses in your case. We will find witnesses who will represent your side of the story.

We Will Develop the Best Defense Against Murder Charges

When a death occurs, people want a scapegoat. They want someone to pay for the tragedy. If someone has died, and you are being charged with homicide or manslaughter in Weld County, not everyone will believe your innocence. We will be by your side, forging a solid defense. There are a few ways we can defend you:

• Self-Defense: Often, the death of another person is necessary in order for you to protect yourself. We use this defense when appropriate.

• Negligence: Another defense is to assert that the death was not intentional on your part, that you were negligent. The charges are still serious for this conviction, but the most serious charges that involve premeditation will not come into play.

• Irresponsible: We can assert that you were not trying to take someone’s life, but that you were being reckless.

These charges greatly affect how a prosecutor and judge can punish you. A well-planned trial defense or plea agreement often can result in a sentence of probation or community corrections instead of the Colorado Department of Corrections.

The Role of Alcohol in a Murder Charge

The use of alcohol greatly affects your ability to drive or make other decisions. But, if you were drunk when the crime occurred, it can also be used as a defense. Your ability to “form intent” to commit a crime is greatly affected. If you have been charged with Vehicular Homicide – C.R.S. 18-3-106, we will work closely with experts, accident reconstructionists, chemists, psychologists, medical doctors and polygraph examiners to testify about your capacity at the time of the crime. You can put these experts to work on your case immediately.

You Have a Right to Remain Silent

You have the right to remain silent. This isn’t just something that is reiterated to you at your arrest. It is there for a purpose. Exercise your right, and don’t speak about your case. If you are silent, this will preserve all the defenses in our arsenal, and will make conviction much more difficult for the prosecution. Do not make ANY statements to any investigators, family members, court personnel, fellow inmates or the police. Any and all of these people could be called as witnesses, simply because you said something out of turn. Do not speak with anyone.