Murder Defense Attorney Oklahoma

No crime is considered more heinous than the taking of a human life, and therefore, murder is the only criminal offense punishable by death.

Most people consider homicide to mean cold-blooded, pre-meditated murder, but there are many acts of homicide which do not equate murder. For example, manslaughter is an act of homicide that is unintentional, reckless, or committed in the heat of passion. Excusable homicide occurs when a person commits a necessary killing in the course of duty - for example, a law enforcement officer protecting the public safety or military troops engaged in war. Finally, justifiable homicide is the taking of another life in self defense against imminent harm.

Excusable homicide and justifiable homicide are not criminal offenses. Manslaughter and murder are both violent "85 Percent"crimes that carry lengthy prison sentences among the penalties. Of the two types of criminal homicide, murder is the most egregious and the most severely punished. It is a crime that is aggressively prosecuted, and finding a defense lawyer who has the skill, resources, and knowledge to effectively fight against the charge is critical to the outcome of a defendant's case.

The crime of murder is classified into two degrees of severity: first degree murder and second degree murder. While neither of these offenses is considered a minor offense, first degree murder carries more severe penalties - even death under certain circumstances.

Murder in the First Degree

The Oklahoma criminal code defines first degree murder in 21 O.S. § 701.7 as an act of homicide that occurs under one or more of the following five circumstances:

A person "unlawfully and with malice aforethought causes the death of another human being."Malice is defined as "deliberate intention unlawfully to take away the life of a human being."
A person takes a life during, or a death results from, the commission of a specified felony: "the commission or attempted commission of murder of another person, shooting or discharge of a firearm or crossbow with intent to kill, intentional discharge of a firearm or other deadly weapon into any dwelling or building as provided in Section 1289.17A of this title, forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, escape from lawful custody, eluding an officer, first degree burglary, first degree arson, unlawful distributing or dispensing of controlled dangerous substances or synthetic controlled substances, trafficking in illegal drugs, or manufacturing or attempting to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance."
The death of a child results from child abuse or enabling child abuse.
A person "unlawfully and with malice aforethought solicits another person or persons to cause the death of a human being in furtherance of unlawfully manufacturing, distributing or dispensing controlled dangerous substances, as defined in the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, unlawfully possessing with intent to distribute or dispense controlled dangerous substances, or trafficking in illegal drugs."
A person "intentionally causes the death of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or corrections employee while the officer or employee is in the performance of official duties."

In general, first degree murder is punishable by life in prison or life without parole. If parole is not prohibited by the sentence, a person does not become eligible for such until at least 85 percent of his or her crime has been served. For a life sentence, a person would have to serve a minimum of more than 38 years before parole is even a possibility.

In some cases, first degree murder results in capital punishment. The following conditions, specified in 21 O.S. § 701.12, allow a prosecutor to seek the death penalty:

A defendant has a violent criminal record.
A defendant knowingly created great risk of death to more than one person.
The defendant committed or solicited murder for hire.
The murder was "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel."
The murder was committed in an attempt to avoid arrest or prosecution.
The defendant committed murder while serving a sentence for felony conviction.
The defendant is considered to be a continuing threat to society.
The victim is a law enforcement officer or Department of Corrections employee killed while performing his or her duties.

The above situations are capital offenses; however, there are certain people for whom the death penalty is ruled unconstitutional: defendants who were younger than 18 when the murder was committed and defendants who are mentally retarded as evidenced by an IQ of 70 or lower.

Murder in the Second Degree

Premeditation, or "malice aforethought,"is not an element of second degree murder. Rather, second degree murder is an act of homicide that occurs as a result of an act that is "imminently dangerous"and shows "depraved mind"that disregards human life. Second degree murder also includes murder in the commission of a felony other than those specified as constituting first degree murder.

Second degree murder does not require "malice aforethought" or premeditation. Acts of homicide committed through the wanton disregard for human life are often among those charged as second degree murder. Furthermore, if a death occurs during the commission of a felony other than those specifically designated under the first degree murder statute, the person or persons committing the crime will be charged with second degree murder.

Like first degree murder, second degree murder carries the possibility of life behind bars. It is punishable by a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. Because of the 85 Percent Rule, a person given the minimum sentence would serve at least 8.5 years.

Thorough Murder Defense

A defense lawyer handling a murder case must be up to the challenge of careful investigation, painstaking legal research, and aggressive representation to help combat the most serious criminal charges. To find an attorney who has the experience, know-how, and commitment to take on one of the most difficult legal battles, contact the Law Firm of Oklahoma today.