Las Vegas Murder & Manslaughter Lawyer
What is murder?
NRS 200.010 defines murder as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice. There are two types of murder.
First degree murder is the deliberate and premeditative killing of another person. An individual can be charged with first degree murder if a murder was associated with acts such as sexual assault, burglary, robbery, kidnapping and even invasion of the home.
Second degree murder is the murder without premeditation or deliberation.
Penalties and punishments for murder charges in Las Vegas:
If you have been convicted of first degree murder, you are guilty of a category A felony and will be punished:
- By death; or
- By imprisonment for life without possibility of parole; or
- By imprisonment for life with possibility of parole after a minimum of 20 years have been served; or
- By imprisonment for 50 years with possibility of parole after a minimum of 20 years have been served.
If you have been convicted of second degree murder, you are guilty of a category A felony and will be punished:
- By imprisonment for life with possibility of parole after a minimum of 10 years have been served; or
- By imprisonment for 25 years with possibility of parole after a minimum of 10 years have been served.
Defenses to murder charges in Las Vegas:
- Mental illness.
- Self defense.
- Insufficient evidence.
What is voluntary and involuntary manslaughter?
While murder is the killing of another individual with malice, manslaughter is the killing of an individual without malice.
Voluntary manslaughter is defined as the killing of another individual without malice or prior intent to kill. Voluntary manslaughter is often referred to as killing in the “heat of passion.” For example, Allen is usually a very calm and stable guy. One day, Allen comes home to find his wife cheating on him with another man. Allen becomes extremely furious and hits the other man on the head with a vase, killing him. Allen is now being charged with voluntary manslaughter because while he did not have any prior intent on killing the other man, he still acted in such a way that resulted in the man’s death.
Involuntary manslaughter is defined as the unintentional killing of an individual without malice or deliberation. For example, this can occur when an individual drives his car so recklessly and kills a pedestrian. Another example would be if a doctor acts in a negligent manner that kills his/her patient. While the doctor may have never had the intent or malice to kill the patient, his actions still led to the patient’s death.
Penalties for manslaughter charges in Las Vegas:
If you have been convicted of voluntary manslaughter, you are guilty of a category B felony and will be punished:
- For a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of no less than 10 years in a state prison; and
- By a possible fine of no more than $10,000.
If you have been convicted of involuntary manslaughter, you are guilty of a category D felony and will be punished:
- For a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of no more than 4 years in a state prison; and
- By a possible fine of no more than $5,000.
Defenses to manslaughter charges in Las Vegas:
If you have been convicted of voluntary manslaughter, you are guilty of a category B felony and will be punished:
- For a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of no less than 10 years in a state prison; and
- By a possible fine of no more than $10,000.
If you have been convicted of involuntary manslaughter, you are guilty of a category D felony and will be punished:
- For a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of no more than 4 years in a state prison; and
- By a possible fine of no more than $5,000.
Defenses to manslaughter charges:
- Self defense.
- Mental illness.
- Accidental killing.
If you or anyone you know has been charged with murder or manslaughter, it is imperative that you contact an experienced Las Vegas murder defense lawyer who can help defend the charges. Because every case is different, you should contact your attorney about the specific facts of your case in order to receive the proper legal advice and help you deserve. Contact Adrian Lobo today at 702-290-8998 to schedule a consultation.
