What is commonly called Involuntary Manslaughter is known as Negligent Homicide in Arizona. It is the unintentional killing of another person. This is the least serious type of felony homicide charge you can face in the state. Negligent Homicide is a Class 4 Felony. Depending on how it is charged and whether you used a weapon or dangerous instrument, there are different types of punishment you could receive. You could be placed on probation with 0 days to 12 months in jail. You could also face a prison sentence from 1 to 3.75 years, or 4 to 8 years.
The crime of Manslaughter in Arizona is what was called Voluntary Manslaughter in the past. It is a Class 3 Felony. Your punishment depends on how it is charged and whether you used a weapon or dangerous instrument. You could receive probation with 0 days to 12 months in jail. You could also be sentenced to prison for 3 to 12.5 years, or 7 to 21 years.
When a person commits Second Degree Murder, the killing is done intentionally, but without premeditation. It can also be committed when a person’s reckless behavior shows extreme indifference to human life. This is why it is a more serious crime than Manslaughter. Second Degree Murder is a Class 1 Felony and is punishable by 10 to 25 years in prison.
The most serious homicide charge you can face in Arizona is First Degree Murder. It is a Class 1 Felony that is punishable by death or life imprisonment. First Degree Murder can be committed by intentionally killing someone, with premeditation. It can also be committed when a you or someone else cause the death of another person while you are committing another felony offense (or while fleeing from this other felony).
Means anything that that is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury under the circumstances in which it is used.
For example, a car may be considered a dangerous instrument when a person drives under the influence of alcohol and causes an accident that kills another person.
Also, a baseball bat or a pen can be considered dangerous instruments depending on how they are used.
For example, if the police’s investigation was of poor quality, then you want to attack the evidence as the unreliable byproduct of a shoddy police investigation. Also, the investigation may not have been complete. The police may have failed to look into other evidence or suspects. Maybe the police failed to have certain important pieces of evidence tested.
Additionally, when there is scientific forensic evidence regarding such things as DNA, firearms, fingerprints, or crime scene reconstruction, you may want to hire an independent expert. This independent expert can review the evidence and give their own opinions to argue against the prosecution’s expert opinions.
If you were wrongly identified by an eyewitness, then you will want to attack the prosecution’s evidence of identification. Research has shown that eyewitness testimony is one of the most unreliable kinds of evidence.
If you have evidence or a witness who can testify that you were somewhere else at the time the crime was committed, then you should raise an alibi defense. An alibi defense shows that you were not present at the time and place the crime was committed. Therefore, you could not have been the person to have committed the crime.
A third-party culpability defense is like an alibi defense because, for both defenses, you are arguing that you specifically did not commit the crime. But for a third-party culpability defense, you are arguing that there is evidence to connect someone else (a third party) to the crime.
For an alibi defense, a jury must find you not guilty if there is reasonable doubt that you were present at the time and place the crime was committed. For a third-party culpability defense, a jury must find you not guilty if there is reasonable doubt that you committed the crime because the crime may have been committed by a third party.
SIDE NOTE: Depending on the evidence, you could argue both alibi and third-party culpability defenses.
These types of defenses are called “justification” defenses. You should argue a justification defense when you did cause the death of another person, but you were justified in doing so. The most common types of justification defenses are self-defense, defense of a third person, or crime prevention (for only specific crime listed in A.R.S. § 13-411(A)). If you argue that you were justified, then the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you did not act with justification.
SIDE NOTE: Self-defense cases tend to be some of the most defensible murder cases.
A person is guilty except insane if, at the time of the crime, a person suffered from a mental disorder that caused the person to not know the criminal act was wrong. It does not include disorders that result from voluntary intoxication or withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, character defects, psychosexual disorders, or impulse control disorders.
SIDE NOTE: This type of defense tends to be more difficult to prove because many people suffer from a mental health disorder or substance abuse issue, but they still know right from wrong.
Guilty except insane is an example of an “affirmative defense” under Arizona law. This means that the defendant has the burden to prove that the defendant is guilty except insane. For example, in other types of case, the prosecution has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act with justification or that the crime was not committed by someone else. But with the affirmative defense of insanity, the prosecutor does not have to prove that the defendant was not insane.
Furthermore, most affirmative defenses only require that the defendant prove the affirmative defense by a preponderance of the evidence. An insanity defense, however, must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. Clear and convincing evidence is a higher standard of proof than preponderance of the evidence (but lower than proof beyond a reasonable doubt).
Proof by a preponderance of the evidence means that a fact is more probably true than not true. Clear and convincing evidence means that a fact is highly probable.
The stakes are big when you are charged with homicide, regardless of the classification. You need to be sure that your attorney has the experience, skills and knowledge about the law to provide you with the best possible defense.
Arizona law gives each type of homicide classification its own definition and elements. But how the facts fit the law can be very particular. That is why it is important to have an experienced homicide attorney to ensure that the prosecution is not abusing its power in bringing a specific homicide charge against you.
At Feldman & Royle, we have represented clients charged with various homicide offenses throughout Arizona. We have obtained acquittals and not guilty verdicts based on various types of strategies and defenses. Our experience in defending homicide cases is substantial and our track record is well-known in the legal community. If you or a loved-one are facing a homicide charge, contact us to learn how our firm can help you. The initial consultation is free and confidential.
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