Erie Murder Lawyer

Erie Murder Attorney

Of all criminal charges, homicide is one of the most serious. Murder charges affect your life and your future, so you need competent legal counsel on your side. If you are in the Erie area and are facing homicide charges, hire an experienced Erie murder lawyer. It might make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

About the Levenson Law Firm

At the Levenson Law Firm, we understand that our clients are facing some of the most difficult times in their lives. Our principal attorney, Amy B. Levenson Jones, has over two decades of experience defending clients against criminal charges and helping them navigate life’s greatest challenges.

With our law office conveniently located on Forward Avenue in Pittsburgh, we are easily accessible to our Erie-area clients. Our Erie criminal defense lawyers are always ready to provide support and legal guidance.

Homicide Charges in Pennsylvania

Homicides are unfortunately common in the United States. Pennsylvania is no exception to the rule, with a murder rate of 6.64 per 100,000 people in the state. In Pennsylvania, murder charges are classified under a larger umbrella termed “criminal homicide.”

Pennsylvania Code Title 18, Chapter 25, delineates and defines the charges that fall under criminal homicide: 

• Murder. Murder is defined as directly killing another human being. Murder charges are further divided into degrees: 
  • First-degree murder is intentionally killing another person, with no other context for the act.
  • Second-degree murder is killing someone while in the process of committing another felony (e.g., killing someone while robbing them).
  • Third-degree murder encompasses all other situations in which murder is the appropriate charge.
• Voluntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter is defined as killing someone without intending to do so. Voluntary manslaughter does not include premeditation. The law code provides two contexts for voluntary manslaughter: 
  • The killing is the result of an intense emotional response brought on by “serious provocation,” either from the victim or from someone else, with the victim being an unintended target.
  • The defendant believed that the killing was justified, but that belief is not reasonable under the circumstances.
• Involuntary manslaughter. The charge of involuntary manslaughter can apply if a defendant unintentionally kills another person by way of recklessness or gross negligence.

Penalties for Homicide and Manslaughter in Pennsylvania

As in every other U.S. state, homicide charges carry serious sentences in Pennsylvania. Possible penalties for the outlined categories of homicide charges are as follows: 

• Murder. The death penalty is legal in Pennsylvania, so prosecutors may seek that sentence. The other possibility is life imprisonment. The sentence a jury recommends can be influenced by aggravating and mitigating factors, as outlined in Title 42, Chapter 97 of the Pennsylvania statutes.
  • Aggravating factors that can indicate a harsher sentence include things like a prior criminal record, being part of a murder for hire plot, and the age of the victim, among other factors.
  • Mitigating factors that can indicate a more lenient sentence include the lack of a criminal record, extreme emotional or mental stress on the part of the defendant, and the defendant’s age, among other factors.
• Voluntary manslaughter. This is a first-degree felony in Pennsylvania. There is no blanket minimum sentence. Judges determine sentences based on the individual case and aggravating and mitigating factors. Minimum prison terms are usually around five years, and the maximum is 20 years.
• Involuntary manslaughter. This is a first-degree misdemeanor in Pennsylvania. The maximum prison sentence in cases with no aggravating factors is five years, and that could be accompanied by a fine.

Hire a Murder Lawyer

If you are facing homicide charges in Erie, PA, you need solid legal representation in court. To give yourself a fighting chance, you should hire an Erie murder attorney to help you build and present a compelling defense case. Your attorney can examine the facts of your case and make sure all mitigating factors are considered. If the charges against you are not justified, your lawyer can assist you in proving it.

Murder charges will likely be tried at the Erie County Courthouse on West Sixth Street. Depending on the outcome of your case, you might be required to spend time at the Erie County Prison on Ash Street.

FAQs

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for a Murder Case?

The cost for a lawyer to defend you in a murder case is variable. It depends on the individual lawyer and the resources necessary for your case. Usually, an attorney will ask you to pay a retainer fee, which is an initial deposit you pay to secure their services. Then, they bill their actual time from that deposit during the case.

What Is a Murder Case Lawyer Called?

The lawyer for a defendant in a murder case is called a defense lawyer or defense attorney. The lawyer for the state, who opposes the defense attorney, is called a prosecuting attorney. The prosecuting attorney works on behalf of the state to present the evidence against the defendant. The defense attorney works for the defendant to present their side of the case.

What Is the Maximum Sentence for Murder in Pennsylvania?

The maximum sentence for murder in Pennsylvania is the death penalty. Prosecution may seek the death penalty if the murder was particularly violent or if the circumstances make the crime particularly heinous. The death penalty must be unanimously recommended by a jury. It is also possible to receive life imprisonment for murder instead of the death penalty.

What Is the Minimum Sentence You Can Get for Murder?

The minimum sentence for first- and second-degree murder is life in prison. Both of these charges are considered intentional killing with premeditation. For third-degree murder, the minimum sentence is less clear. Judges have significant discretion. However, a third-degree murder charge is still likely to result in at least a couple of decades in prison.

Contact the Levenson Law Firm

If you are facing murder charges, you may feel anxious and unsure of your future. The legal system can be difficult to navigate, and criminal trials are often lengthy and arduous. You need experienced legal counsel during this difficult time. At the Levenson Law Firm, we are here to help. Contact us today to discuss your case.