Top Anderson, IN First Degree Murder Lawyers Near You
If You Have Been Charged with A Crime, Then You Deserve Aggressive Representation for Your Defense. Contact Us Today for A FREE Consultation.
Free Consultation
Strong representation. Powerful results.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
With More Than 30 Years of Experience and Over 4000 Cases Worked, I Have The Knowledge & Ability To Defend You Against ALL Criminal Charges. Call Today.
If You Have Been or are About to be Charged with a Serious Crime, Contact Us Immediately! Don't Let Criminal Charges Ruin Your Life
Free Consultation
Do You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Indiana? Contact Former Prosecutors Today!
Free Consultation
499 South 9th Street, Suite A, Noblesville, IN 46060
Other Nearby Offices
Assisting people in Indiana with their First Degree Murder needs. Learn More.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
155 E. Market Street, Suite 860, Indianapolis, IN 46204
For those working through a First Degree Murder issue in the Anderson, Indiana area, Sallee Law LLC can be your partner in law.
Free Consultation
151 N. Delaware St., Suite 2010, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Moore and Associates, PC helps clients in the Anderson area handle cases involving First Degree Murder.
Free Consultation
101 West Ohio St, Ste 2024, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Hayes Law Office has experience helping clients with their First Degree Murder needs in Anderson, Indiana.
Free Consultation
156 E Market St, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204
For legal issues concerning First Degree Murder, let Harwell Gray Legal Counsel LLC, a local practice in Anderson, Indiana, help you find a solution.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
6612 E 75th St, Suite 475, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Need representation for your First Degree Murder issues? Chambers Law Office, LLC offers local assistance in Anderson, Indiana.
Se Habla Español
135 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 1175, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Getting legal representation for your First Degree Murder issue is easier than you think. Let Kammen & Moudy, LLC in Anderson, Indiana help you today.
Free Consultation
34 S 9th St, Noblesville, IN 46060
Avnet Law, a reputable First Degree Murder firm in Indiana, serves the Anderson area.
Free Consultation
62 East Morgan Street, Martinsville, IN 46151
Those seeking legal help with First Degree Murder can reach out to The Gaunt Law Office, a local practice representing people in Anderson, Indiana.
Free Consultation
1512 N Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
333 N Alabama St, Suite 350-325, Indianapolis, IN 46204
111 Monument Cir, Suite 4500, Indianapolis, IN 46204
600 East 96th Street, Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46240
143 W Market St, Suite 600-A, Indianapolis, IN 46204
1512 N. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
1512 North Delaware, Indianapolis, IN 46202
10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Suite 217, Indianapolis, IN 46256
101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 2000, Indianapolis, IN 46204
22 E Washington St, Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204
One Indiana Square, Suite 3500, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2023
8925 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46239
1060 Villa Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
6284 Rucker Rd, Suite M, Indianapolis, IN 46220
303 North Alabama St., Suite 310, Indianapolis, IN 46204
60 E. Morgan Street, Martinsville, IN 46151
Anderson First Degree Murder Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies First Degree Murder attorneys in Anderson and checks their standing with Indiana bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Is First Degree Murder?
First-degree murder, ranked among the most serious criminal offenses, is a crime where the perpetrator kills a victim, having planned the act out in advance. There are several enhancements that can be brought against such an offender, such as if the killing is considered to be the result of a hate crime (biases against the victim’s race, sex, sexuality, etc.) or if the victim is a law enforcement officer or public servant.
Elements of First Degree Murder
First-degree murder is the most serious charge you can get for killing another person. While the specific definition will differ by state, it typically requires premeditation and planning. Often first-degree murder charges occur when the killer was lying in wait or was committing a felony, such as rape or burglary.
What Is the Difference Between First, Second, and Third Degree Murder?
From a federal perspective, murder charges only apply in the first and second degree, with what many state courts refer to as third-degree murder being replaced with the charge of manslaughter.
First-degree murder, federally, refers to premeditated murder with “malice aforethought.” The statute includes poisoning and laying in wait, and also makes it clear that a killing that takes place during the commission of another felony offense such as sexual assault, arson, espionage or kidnapping also constitutes first-degree murder. All other murders are classified as second-degree murders.
Federal statutes also detail that manslaughter (both voluntary and involuntary) are the result of a killing without malice aforethought, lining up — in general — with state-level considerations of both manslaughter and third degree murder.
Second-degree murder at the state level typically refers to an unplanned killing that could be the result of extremely reckless behavior without concern for human life (firing a gun into a crowd on impulse), or a “depraved heart” murder. In some states, you can be charged with second degree murder if you acted in the role of an accomplice or accessory to a murder.
Third-degree murder, or manslaughter, is frequently charged as a killing set off by a quarrel or a fit of passion (for example, an enraged spouse attacking another individual while discovering an adulterous affair, killing them in a rage), in this case, an example of voluntary manslaughter. The crime can also cover involuntary killings made with a reckless mind or intent.
What Is Capital Murder vs. First Degree Murder?
Capital murder differs from first degree murder in that it involves aggravating circumstances that elevate the crime as well as the sentencing resulting from a conviction. The most common reasons capital murder may be charged include: the killing of a police officer or first responder, the killing took place during the commission of another felony act, the victim is tortured or raped prior to the murder, the murder is the result of hate, the murder was conducted in exchange for money or the murder was an act of terrorism.
Capital murder is a term only used in eight states (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Texas and Virginia) while other states prefer “aggravated murder” or “malice murder.” However, the end result is the same — capital murder can result in the death penalty in jurisdictions that allow for it, and prison sentences ranging from 25 years to life in states which do not.
Can You Get the Death Penalty for First Degree Murder in Indiana?
In states that allow for the death penalty, first degree murder charges — or capital murder charges, more particularly — could result in the death penalty for those convicted of the most serious offenses. Both the United States government as well as the United States military currently allow for the death penalty to be handed down.
How Long Is a First Degree Murder Sentence?
A first degree murder conviction could lead to a life sentence or even the death penalty. In broad terms, a conviction of first degree murder charges could lead to a first-time offender serving between 15 years to life, with a chance of parole (and subsequent probation) for eligible offenders.
Are You Facing First Degree Murder Charges?
Have you been charged with first degree murder? First degree murder is a felony-level homicide, and if convicted, you could be imprisoned for years, life or face the death penalty. Contact an attorney skilled in defending first degree murder cases to protect your legal rights.