204 Washington Avenue NE, Marietta, Georgia 30060
Serving Clients in Georgia Over 40 Years
Call now for a FREE Legal Consultation.
770.422.0878
Serving Clients in Georgia Over 40 Years
Call now for a FREE Legal Consultation.
770.422.0878

Effective Homicide Attorney Represents Clients in Marietta, GA

Protecting the rights of those accused of murder and manslaughter

A person accused of homicide faces serious repercussions if convicted, including life imprisonment and the death penalty. Those charged with — and even those suspected of — homicide in Marietta and metro Atlanta need dogged, experienced legal defense to protect their rights and freedom and to secure the best possible outcome in their cases. With 40 years of legal experience, attorney Melvin S. Nash is uniquely equipped to build a thorough case for your defense and ensure that your civil rights remain intact at every stage of the process.

Types of homicide crimes in Georgia

Homicide is the umbrella term for the criminal action of taking a human being’s life. There are two main types of homicide crimes: murder and manslaughter.

Murder in Georgia is defined as the act of causing the death of another person with malice aforethought — in other words, premeditated murder or murder without provocation. Historically, there were no mitigating factors or degrees of severity to the crime. However, in 2014, Georgia lawmakers added second degree murder to the criminal code. This occurs when a person causes the death of another person during child abuse or an act of cruelty upon a child, irrespective of malice.

Any conviction of murder makes the convicted party eligible for the death penalty. However, a person convicted of murder could be sentenced to life imprisonment instead.

A homicide is considered murder if the following factors apply:

  • The person intended to kill another person — i.e., acted with malice aforethought.
  • The person acted with depraved indifference to human life, such as firing a gun into a crowd.
  • The person killed someone while committing another felony crime, such as aggravated assault or rape, whether the death was intentional or unintentional. This is known as felony murder.

If a homicide does not meet any of these factors, the act is likely to be considered manslaughter.

Voluntary manslaughter usually refers to an intentional killing of another person while in the heat of passion, such as through an act of self-defense or a lethal response to a threat or attack. This is different from murder in that there is provocation and no premeditation.

Involuntary manslaughter refers to two other kinds of homicide. The unintentional killing of a person brought about through illegal or reckless conduct is considered involuntary manslaughter, as is the accidental killing of a person during the commission of another crime, usually a misdemeanor. Depending on the circumstances, involuntary manslaughter may be considered a misdemeanor.

Proactive defense against murder and manslaughter charges

Possible penalties for homicide can range from one year in jail to life imprisonment and even the death penalty. Additionally, it is common for a person accused of homicide to face other charges, such as assault, trespassing, and gun and weapon crimes, at the same time. The outcome of a case like this depends heavily on the presentation of the case’s unique facts, the time when information is revealed to the prosecutor, and aggressive representation from a qualified lawyer during a difficult and often confusing time.

Our firm’s experience with both criminal defense and prosecution enables us to build the strongest defense against your homicide charges and to fully protect your civil rights throughout each step of the criminal process. We examine all details of your case to deliver the best possible result for your situation.

Contact a skilled, reputable homicide defense attorney serving Marietta and metro Atlanta

Faced with severe penalties, loss of liberty, and maybe even loss of your life, you need aggressive manslaughter or murder defense representation. For determined advocacy throughout the legal process, call the Law Offices of Melvin S. Nash at 770.422.0878 or contact our office online to schedule a free initial consultation. We have six locations throughout metro Atlanta to serve your needs.

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