A Respected Criminal Law Firm Serving Pittsburgh And Western Pennsylvania

Stan Levenson and Amy Levenson Jones

Protecting Pennsylvanians Facing Homicide Charges

There may be no criminal charge more serious than homicide or manslaughter. Being in the unfortunate position of facing a homicide accusation can wreak havoc on your well-being as your future and freedom hang in the balance.

For over two generations, our father-daughter legal team at Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices, has taken pride in being accessible to our clients in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. Though we focus on limiting our caseload to offer personalized and thoughtful representation to each client, we have garnered a reputation as a premier criminal defense firm, causing clients from across the United States to seek our services when charged with a violent crime.

What Constitutes A Homicide Charge?

When someone takes the life of another person, they could end up facing homicide charges. However, there are multiple types of homicide under the law, which include the following:

  • Murder
  • Involuntary manslaughter
  • Voluntary manslaughter

For a homicide accusation to develop into a murder charge, there must be evidence that the defendant had malicious intent and engaged in premeditation. Additionally, depending on the circumstances, courts may charge the defendant with first or second-degree murder. In Pennsylvania, specifically, third-degree murder charges could also be on the table.

If the accused did not intend to kill the victim prior to the event, but they were intentional with their actions, the court could charge them with voluntary manslaughter. Lastly, a person could face involuntary manslaughter charges if they did not have an intent to kill the victim and did not act intentionally. A drunk driving accident, where the motorist accidentally murders the victim, is a common example of involuntary manslaughter.

The Consequences Of A Homicide Conviction

Homicide is a felony, regardless of whether the accused is facing murder, voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter charges. Due to the differing severity of each of these offenses, Pennsylvania residents could spend up to 20 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter, up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for involuntary manslaughter or a life sentence for first-degree murder.

How Can We Defend Your Rights?

The thought of being accused of a violent crime, such as homicide or manslaughter, can negatively impact your life in nearly every way possible. To potentially minimize the consequences of a conviction, be sure to seek prompt legal support from our attorneys by calling our office at 412-552-3231 or by contacting us online at your earliest convenience.