Murder Defense Attorneys in Bowling Green, Kentucky
John Caudill Attorney at Law knows that in Kentucky, murder charges are reserved for cases where one person is accused of intentionally killing another person and is considered a capital offense. This means that the death penalty can potentially be used against a person convicted of a murder charge.
In some criminal cases, the word murder may be substituted for manslaughter or homicide, each of which still involves causing another person’s death, but the charges and consequences will depend on the intent, circumstances, and facts of the alleged crime.
This is why we are here. Whether our clients are charged with murder, or a lesser charge, can mean the difference between their freedom — or in some cases, their lives.
Our Bowling Green and Owensboro murder defense lawyer knows being arrested, and eventually charged with murder is a terrifying time for the accused and their families. During these significantly trying times, it is crucial to partner with a criminal defense attorney who has the experience they need to pursue the best outcome for their unique circumstances.
Our Warren County Murder defense lawyer, John Caudill, is the only former Federal Prosecutor in Western and South-Central Kentucky.
Over the past 30 years, John has prosecuted and defended hundreds of people during both complex state and federal criminal cases that required a precise legal strategy — from preparation to trial — to pursue and secure real results for our clients.
You have rights and are entitled to an aggressive defense strategy that is customized to meet your needs. Let’s get started.
What is the Difference Between Manslaughter and Murder in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, the major difference between manslaughter and murder is intent.
- Murder involves the intent to cause the death of another person, and actually causing the death of that person or a third person.
- Manslaughter in the first degree requires the intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, causing the death of that person or of a third person, or with the intent to kill while under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance.
- Manslaughter in the second degree requires wantonly causing the death of another person, including, but not limited to, situations where the death results from the operation of a motor vehicle, leaving a child under the age of eight in a motor vehicle in dangerous circumstances that lead to the child’s death, and distributing a Schedule I or II controlled substance that causes someone’s death.
The key in any criminal case involving death is intent, and any aggravating or mitigating factors and circumstances regarding how the crime occurred.
What are the Penalties for Murder and Manslaughter in Kentucky?
Murder is a capital offense in Kentucky and can be prosecuted as a death penalty case.
The penalties for manslaughter vary depending on the specific charges and circumstances, but may include:
- First-Degree Manslaughter is a Class B felony in Kentucky and is punishable by between ten and 20 years in prison with the requirement to serve 85% of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
- Second-Degree Manslaughter is a Class C felony in Kentucky and is punishable by between five to 10 years in prison.
Fines can range between$1,000 to $10,000 or double any gain received from the offense.
The collateral consequences of a manslaughter conviction may also include:
- Losing the right to own a gun.
- Losing the right to vote.
- Losing child custody or visitation rights.
- Trouble securing a place to live upon release.
- Difficulty getting hired because of a violent crime/felony status.
If you have been accused of murder, manslaughter, or homicide in Kentucky, do not face the prosecutor’s office alone. Contact our skilled murder defense attorneys in Bowling Green and Owensboro today to learn how we can help you aggressively fight these life-changing charges.
What are the Most Common Defense Strategies for Murder and Manslaughter Charges in Kentucky?
All Kentucky murder and manslaughter cases are as unique as the individual being charged with the crime, and the circumstances that led them here. Our dedicated murder defense attorney will review the details of your case, and customize your legal strategy based on all relevant factors that can help strengthen your defense.
That may include, but is not limited to:
- Evaluating whether your Constitutional Rights were violated during the arrest, interrogation, evidence collection, or booking procedures.
- Securing facts that support you acted in self-defense.
- Fortifying a defense that outlines you are mentally ill or suffered from a mental disability at the time the crime was committed.
- Uncovering evidence that you were falsely identified or accused of a crime you did not commit.
From the moment our dedicated Kentucky murder defense attorney takes your case, we will begin outlining a legal strategy to produce evidence that supports your defense while challenging evidence produced by the prosecution to have it excluded from your case from the start.
If you have been charged with murder or manslaughter in Kentucky, do not answer any questions or talk to anyone from the prosecutor’s office until you can secure the services of a skilled criminal defense lawyer. We can help protect your legal rights and options from the start.
Our law firm represents individuals who have been accused of complex crimes where an exceptional legal defense strategy can mean the difference between incarceration and freedom.
Let us help you pursue the best outcome, just as we have for hundreds of clients before you.
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Contact Our Trusted Murder Defense Lawyer in Bowling Green, Kentucky Today
John Caudill Attorney at Law offers aggressive defense strategies and trusted legal representation to individuals throughout the Bowling Green area and surrounding communities, including Owensboro, Franklin, Scottsville, Hartford, and Morgantown. Our law firm has a stellar reputation for pressing the prosecution to prove our clients are guilty by forcing them to prepare for a trial. This means we are not swayed by potential plea bargains, or negotiations we know are not in our clients’ best interests.
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Kentucky, contact our trusted murder defense attorney in Warren County today by calling (270) 925-0447 or contacting us online.
We are here to fight for your rights and your freedom. Let’s get started.
