Blackford & Flohr offer homicide defense attorney services in Maryland. We represent the accused in all types of cases.
Homicide isn’t just some charge that only appears in television cop shows. In Maryland, it isn’t the most common type of felony, but it occurs at a rate of 9.1 for every 100,000 people based on 2022 statistics. That means 553 homicides were committed that year, and every one of them needed a homicide defense attorney. Of all the felonies, homicide is certainly one that requires an attorney, and the homicide defense lawyers at Blackford & Flohr can help you if you are charged with this serious crime in the state of Maryland.
What is Homicide?
Homicide is the taking of a human life, whether by intention or by accident. The types of homicides differ from state to state, but these are the primary types that you will find if you are charged with this crime.
- First degree murder – Planned homicide
- Second degree murder – Unplanned homicide
- Manslaughter – Accidental homicide
- Justifiable homicide – Self-defense
No matter what type of homicide you are charged with in Maryland, it is a serious problem, and a criminal defense attorney can help you construct the best response to the situation.
Our Process
Although all homicide investigations proceed in their own way, most investigations do have commonalities. Remember: don’t talk to the detective until you’ve consulted a criminal defense attorney. It can make a large difference in how your case proceeds. You need an attorney for the following steps in the process.
- Interrogation
- Bail hearings
- Acquiring witnesses
- Acquiring experts
- Negotiating with the prosecutor
- Collecting evidence
- Forming a defense against the state’s case
This process can seem overwhelming at first, but having a Maryland criminal defense attorney on your side can help you or your loved one get through it.
- First, we will help you during the interrogation. Remember: anything you tell the police can be used against you in court. If you admit to something, it will be difficult to retract that in the future. Instead, you or your loved one need a criminal defense attorney on your side to advise you when to talk to police and when to stay quiet.
- Next, we can help you or your loved one with the bail hearing. Once you are charged, you will appear before a judge that will determine how high your bail will be set at. It is determined by how likely you are to flee and if you are a danger to the public. A criminal defense attorney can help to lower the amount you or your loved one have to pay or sometimes get it waived.
- Once the case is set to go to trial, the collection of evidence and gathering witnesses and expert witnesses will begin. We will help you or your loved one assure that those who were a party to the incident will appear in court. In addition, we will study the prosecutor’s list of witnesses and prepare for cross examination. Experts can help prove you, or your loved one, were not the one at fault.
- One of the most important benefits of having a criminal defense attorney is their ability to negotiate a lesser sentence with the prosecutor. If you are charged with one type of murder, a criminal defense attorney can sometimes have the charges reduced to a lesser type of murder, such as second degree to manslaughter. This can mean a large difference in the amount of time you spend in prison.
- Finally, if your case ends up going to trial and no deal can be struck, a criminal defense attorney will build a case that raises reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors. The prosecutor’s core objective is to prove that you, or your loved one, are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, our homicide lawyers can also help with the sentencing and appeal process as they may arise. Just because the trial is over doesn’t mean that a criminal defense attorney’s job is done. We will continue to fight for your rights to get your sentence reduced or dismissed.
If you find that you are charged with homicide of any type in the state of Maryland, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can help protect your case as soon as possible.