In Your Corner When It Matters Most in Illinois
Murder Defense Attorney Illinois
Murder Defense Attorney Illinois. If you are charged with murder, the outcome will have a dramatic impact on the rest of your life. Murder cases are the most serious types due to the magnitude of the harm and the severity of the penalties. A person charged with murder in Illinois will face a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. There are possible aggravating factors, such as using a firearm during the commission of a murder, that can easily add 15 years or more to murder sentence.
Murder cases, no matter the surrounding circumstances, require special skills and knowledge, like those found at Drummond Law. Let’s get to work. Our murder defense attorney team has an impressive record of defending clients in Southern Illinois and throughout the Midwest. Call us immediately at 800-842-0426 or contact us for a no-cost, risk-free consultation.
Our Illinois murder defense attorney will meet with you one-on-one, working with and for you every step of the way, as we prepare your defense. We will fight your murder charges every step of the way. We believe this personalized service separates us from the other, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants lawyers in the Illinois area.
Murder Defense Attorney Illinois: What To Do If You Are Accused of Murder
No matter the situation, no one ever wants to hear that they are accused of murder. It’s fearful and upsetting. But the Drummond Law murder defense attorney is here to help. Knowing what to do the instant you are accused is critical to your case, and our team in Illinois suggests you:
- Contact a murder defense attorney at Drummond Law in Illinois. Having a lawyer available as soon as possible is vital to getting a successful outcome. Our murder defense attorney will:
- Review police reports and their investigatory procedures
- Review any forensic evidence
- Gather evidence
- Talk to witnesses
- Speak/Negotiate with opposing counsel
- Don’t say anything when arrested. When police read your Miranda rights, believe them when they say “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” Having an experienced murder defense attorney from Drummond Law is key here.
- Know that you are innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, mainly due to the “facts”-at-my-fingertips mentality of a lot of people, defendants are oftentimes assumed guilty first in the public eye. Thankfully, you have an Illinois murder defense attorney who can help keep your mind clear and focused on moving forward in preparing the best case possible.
For a free, confidential conversation, call our Illinois murder defense attorney today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online.
Murder Defense Attorney Illinois: What the Drummond Law Defense Team Does
While our goal is to exonerate our client by obtaining a dismissal of the murder charge or a “not guilty” verdict at trial, we simultaneously look at other options. Our team in Illinois will explore opportunities to eviscerate the prosecution’s case by seeking certain exclusions of evidence or explore possible Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations.
Murder is the intentional and unlawful killing of another person. The Drummond Law murder defense attorney’s approach depends upon the level of murder sought by the prosecutor. Illinois has the following three levels of homicide. The key difference between the three levels is the mens rea, or the state of the mind of the defendant, at the time of the killing:
First degree murder
First degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9-1) Is the most serious level of homicide in Illinois. To be convicted of first degree murder our defendant must have been acting either purposefully or knowingly during the commission of the murder. First degree murder can also arise in the context of felony murder.
Second degree murder
Second degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9-2) is a lesser charge that our Drummond Law murder defense attorney can bring when our client may have killed someone purposefully or knowingly, but did so with something affecting their state of mind that decreases the seriousness of the attack. An example may be a murder occurring in the heat of passion or intense anger. One example our murder defense team saw recently was a parent who killed a reckless driver after the driver ran over their child. The serious provocation was what lessened the charge to second degree murder. The “serious provocation” exception includes:
- Substantial physical injury or assault
- Mutual and willing combat
- Illegal arrest
- Adultery with one’s spouse that is discovered as it is occurring or immediately before or after it occurred
Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Homicide
Involuntary manslaughter (720 ILCS 5/9-3) is the act of unintentionally killing someone due to negligence or recklessness. A client possibly commits reckless homicide (720 ILCS 5/9-3(a)) if the defendant unintentionally kills an individual while driving a vehicle.
Our murder defense attorney has seen every type of homicide case, and has extensive hands-on experience in multiple forms of defense techniques. You want someone on your side, in your corner who knows the ins and outs of the law, and all that you and your family are going through. Call us now at 800-842-0426 or contact us.
Murder Defense Attorney Illinois | Drummond Law
Whether you are falsely accused or made a regrettable mistake, our Illinois murder defense attorney provides a vigorous defense. We have seen too many unfortunate consequences of a murder conviction, so we utilize our extensive experience handling serious murder charges, investigative tools and resources, and our team of experts to protect your interests.
To speak with our Illinois murder defense attorney for a free, no-risk case review, call us today at 800-842-0426 or contact us online to get started.