Murder

Murder: Experienced Handling of Cases in Illinois

Murder charges are the most serious criminal accusations you can face. If convicted, you could face life in prison. Even though Illinois no longer uses the death penalty, the possible punishment for murder convictions can still take your freedom away for the rest of your life. If authorities suspect you of homicide, or if police have already arrested you, you need the highest quality of defense representation immediately.

MURDER CHARGES IN ILLINOIS

At Martin & Kent, L.L.C., our criminal defense attorneys handle all types of criminal cases, including violent felonies and murder. With extensive criminal trial experience, we do not shy away from helping clients facing murder charges. We will immediately begin building the most effective defense strategy possible and ensuring that authorities do not violate your constitutional rights. If you believe you are a murder suspect or you already face homicide charges in DuPage County, Cook County, or Kane County, call our office at (630) 474-8000 to discuss your situation for free as soon as possible.

UNDERSTANDING MURDER CHARGES

Every murder case is unique, including the circumstances alleged by authorities, the specific charges issued, and the potential penalties for a conviction. In Illinois, there are various degrees of homicide, which include first-degree and second-degree. First-degree is the killing of another person that is not lawfully justified, with circumstances like intent to cause death or great bodily harm, malice, deliberation, and planning, or occurring during a felony. Second-degree murder has similar elements but may be reduced if mitigating factors are proven, such as sudden passion or mistaken belief in justification.

RELATED HOMICIDE OFFENSES

There are also a number of charges and offenses related to homicide, including attempted murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, drug-induced homicide, and concealment of a homicidal death. Every case involving any type of homicide or related allegations should be in the hands of a highly experienced criminal defense lawyer who understands how to aggressively protect your rights and obtain the best possible outcome in every case.

PENALTIES FOR MURDER IN ILLINOIS

We cannot understate the severity of the possible penalties in Illinois. No matter what degree of charges you face, these are the most serious felony charges and come with the possibility of the harshest sentences. Second-degree murder is a Class 1 felony in Illinois, though the maximum prison sentence under the law for second-degree homicide is longer than most other Class 1 felonies. First-degree murder is an unclassified offense, and the law considers it to be more serious than a Class X felony, often referred to as a “Class M felony.”

POSSIBLE SENTENCES FOR MURDER

The sentence for a murder conviction in Illinois will depend on the specific circumstances of each case, such as the method of killing and the identity of the victim. For example, the sentence can increase substantially if any aggravating factors existed, which can include the use of a firearm, murder of a police officer or child, and more. First-degree homicide can result in 20 to 60 years in prison, with possible life imprisonment if aggravating factors are present. Second-degree murder can lead to four to 20 years, with the possibility of probation in certain cases.

DEFENDING AGAINST MURDER CHARGES

As former prosecutors, the lawyers of Martin & Kent, L.L.C., know all too well that authorities can make mistakes. Too many innocent people face murder charges, and courts convict many innocent people of homicide, sending them to prison for a long time. You need a defense team that has the resources to fully investigate the details of your allegations and knows how to present a strong defense against your homicide charges. Some common defense issues in murder cases include unreliable eyewitness identification, unreliable DNA evidence, coerced confessions, proving an alibi, self-defense, and defense of others.

STRATEGIES FOR HOMICIDE DEFENSE

In addition to the above, our attorneys regularly work to get first-degree charges reduced to second-degree homicide. We can present evidence to prove the killing occurred due to provocation in the heat of passion or other mitigating factors. Prosecutors will often go after the most serious conviction possible, and it is critical to have an attorney who can fight against unnecessarily harsh charges. If a prosecutor asserts that aggravating factors existed, we can challenge this assertion to limit the possible sentence for a conviction.

TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOURSELF NOW

Another important part of the process is deciding whether to plead guilty or take a case to trial. Our attorneys will advise you of every option and the possible implications of each. If you decide to plead guilty, we will work to negotiate the best possible plea agreement with the prosecutor. If you decide to go to trial, we can zealously argue against wrongful conviction in court. We help you through every stage of the criminal process, no matter what type of charge you face.

CONTACT MARTIN & KENT, L.L.C. FOR HELP

If you are facing charges, you need to take immediate action to protect your rights. We can help protect you from overzealous prosecution or exaggerated charges. Whether you have been falsely accused as a result of questionable eyewitness testimony or police coerced you into confessing to homicide, we will do everything possible to exonerate you. Many criminal defense attorneys are not properly equipped to handle a murder case, but you can count on our team at Martin & Kent, L.L.C., to effectively represent you. We have 42 years of combined legal experience and have handled more than 10,000 criminal cases as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Contact our office at (630) 474-8000 right away!