How a Homicide Defense Lawyer Can Protect Your Future in Philadelphia

Being a murder defendant in Philadelphia is one thing, and a consequence that may lead to later lives. Having to be convicted over such a serious crime leads to long-term imprisonment, tough fines, and a permanent criminal record. And so, an experienced homicide defense lawyer will help you protect your rights and future. A good criminal defense attorney can wrestle with the complexities of the legal system by impeaching evidence and giving you your best shot for a favorable outcome in court. 

Understanding Charges for Homicide in Philadelphia

Homicide charges in Pennsylvania are considered one of the most difficult charge to be dealt with since it involves enormous punishment when convicted. In Pennsylvania, the law distinguishes several forms of homicide. These include first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary, and involuntary manslaughter. The type of charge with which you are accused makes all the difference, as well as the likelihood of possessing substantial punishment upon conviction.

Examples of these charges would be first-degree murder, which is the premeditation and planning to maybe receive a life sentence or even death in some territories. Second-degree murder is usually applied when a death happens during the time while committing another felony. Manslaughter often has to do with reckless actions or in the heat of passion and may lead to such a charge.

Conviction charges for murder indeed require a severe defense attorney in Philadelphia; a serious defense attorney from the dockets of Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC would, therefore, help guide your case and handle with much delicacy.

How a Defense Attorney May Help

• Investigation And Collection Of Evidence

One of the major advocacies of a lawyer for the defense of murder is that of independent study of the case. These include statements from witness, physical evidence, police reports, and forensic data. Independent study from another perspective may reveal facts that the prosecution cannot be aware of or perhaps overlooked, which makes it a solid argument for the case.

For example, if the defense mechanism is self-defense, an attorney from Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC in Philadelphia will create facts that show the defendant to be reacting to some reasonable immediate threat. That may mean identifying witnesses and finding surveillance footage or being aware of some inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence.

• Development of a Strong Defense Strategy

In the cases, a murder defense attorney would work with forensic specialists and private investigators. He can use them in building a better case for his client. His job is to question the version produced by the prosecution and expose the fractures in the case they build. Among the possible defense strategies include:

Self-Defense: The defense attorney will attempt to show that the defendant had acted in defense of self, or defense of some other party.

Lack of Intent: Most cases lack the intent to kill and, therefore, murder would become reduced to manslaughter.

Alibi: When a defendant can demonstrate a good alibi, counsel will argue the defendant could not have been at the crime scene.

Insanity or Diminished Capacity: If the defendant could not have been sane at the time of the murder, a defense attorney might use mental illness defenses.

• Plea Bargain

Murder is not always a crime for which a defendant cannot live. Often it is possible to plea bargain down to a lesser offense thereby reducing the potential sentence. An experienced Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer at Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC who has a history of representing people accused of murder would know how to interact with the prosecution and negotiate so that you end up in a good way. Where the defendant stands a much greater chance of being convicted, the plea bargain might involve reduced charges, such as manslaughter and lighter punishment.

• Appearing before the case of prosecution

They should prove their case with a burden of proof beyond all reasonable doubts. A defense attorney with experience will do everything in his power to poke holes into the case of the prosecution, which could be questioning the credibility of the witnesses, arguing about forensic evidence, or challenging the police report.

In other cases, the forensic evidence say DNA or ballistics reports may not be as convincing as the prosecution will testify to. A defense lawyer can collaborate with expert witnesses in casting doubts on the prosecution’s theory of the crime.

• Defending Your Rights

Be sure you are represented by an attorney who respects your constitutional rights; this means that all of the evidence collected against you should be lawfully obtained while the right to fair trial is preserved, but then forcing the culprit to confess or say something that would actually work against the case is avoided. A good defense attorney argues on your behalf and makes sure your rights are respected at every stage in the case.

Why One Should Hire a Homicide Defense Attorney in Philadelphia

The Importance of hiring a homicide defense attorney whenever the charge is grave enough is very crucial. Every case that involves a serious charge, the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC knows how hard it will be to prosecute the person accused of committing homicide. Due to that, lawyers make sure their clients benefit the best from their case.

Conclusion

A murder conviction can totally change the course of your life forever. However, an effective defense attorney can make you wish for a better deal still. A Philadelphia criminal defense attorney within Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC can investigate your case, challenge prosecution evidence and negotiate plea deals while ensuring that all your rights are protected while at it. If a person is a victim of homicide or if the person to whom one is related has an ongoing case of homicide, then he must consult an experienced lawyer to save his future.