If the police arrest you for homicide, and the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office decides to prosecute, then you could be facing harsh penalties. You risk losing your freedom and, in first-degree murder cases, possibly even your life, as Nevada is a death penalty state.
You must act immediately. Consult John Arrascada, a zealous and aggressive criminal defense attorney who handles each homicide case personally and brings decades of successful experience. An arrest is not a conviction. A highly respected Reno homicide lawyer could aggressively defend against the charges and provide personalized representation for the best possible outcome.
Homicide refers to the unlawful killing of another person. In many cases, the prosecutor will charge a person with open murder, which is a general accusation of homicide. The specific degree of murder is determined by the facts of the case.
If the prosecutor wins a conviction, first-degree murder has the most severe punishment: life in prison or death. To succeed, the prosecutor must prove the elements of the crime:
These felonies include:
Second-degree murder is also intentional, but premeditation is not a required element. If accused of this, the prosecution must prove that you either behaved so recklessly that death was foreseeable, or that you supplied the decedent with illicit drugs, leading to their death, often due to a fentanyl overdose. A homicide attorney can build a strong defense in Reno to prove that you are not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and get the charges dropped.
Manslaughter, a subset of homicide, can be divided into voluntary, involuntary, or vehicular forms. Voluntary manslaughter usually involves passion or provocation, but while intentional, it occurs without malice or pre-planning. An example is a person walking into a bedroom and being provoked by the sudden shock of discovering their spouse with someone else.
Involuntary manslaughter is killing with no premeditation or intent, such as vehicular manslaughter. For example, a DUI accident occurs when a motorist or pedestrian dies because of someone else’s negligent driving. A homicide conviction can seriously impact your future. Let a Reno attorney protect your rights and work to get the homicide charges dropped.
Attorney John Arrascada is skilled at building credible defenses against homicide charges. He can leverage the most effective defense strategies for your case and ensure your rights are protected in court.
Law enforcement officers often violate an accused person’s constitutional rights by conducting illegal searches and seizures or failing to inform the person of their rights, including the right to contact an attorney and remain silent.
Witnesses also notoriously misidentify suspects, which a lawyer could highlight. In cases of first-degree murder in Reno, a homicide attorney could show there was no malice or premeditation.
In certain situations, a person may be justified in using force, sometimes even deadly force, if it is necessary to protect themselves, someone else, or their property from an immediate threat.
Attorney John Arrascada can evaluate the details of your case to determine whether one of these defenses applies.
If you are facing a charge of any degree of homicide, you have the right to a knowledgeable attorney who can present your case, build the best defense possible, and create doubt in jurors’ minds. At The Law Office of John Arrascada, we have years of experience defending against criminal charges and getting cases dismissed.
Mr. John Arrascada can be your fearless ally from the moment of your arrest, through the trial, and in the aftermath. Many large law firms allocate much of this process to assistants, but we do not. We understand how much is at stake with a murder charge and how much you can lose if your lawyer is not involved. If you need a Reno homicide lawyer, contact us today.
(775) 310-0084 