What is Homicide?
Homicide occurs where there is a loss of life of one or more people as a result of another person’s actions. There are different levels of homicide and each level has their own level of consequences. Jail sentences must be served in a Federal prison.
First degree murder refers to a planned and deliberate homicide. If convicted of first degree murder, a person may receive a sentence of life in prison with the eligibility of parole after 25 years.
Second degree murder refers to intentional homicides that cannot be classified as first-degree. If convicted of second degree murder, a person may receive a sentence of life in prison with the eligibility of parole after ten years.
Manslaughter charges refer to an unintentional homicide that resulted from criminal negligence or unlawful conduct. If convicted of manslaughter, the sentence varies. Prison is not mandatory unless the offense was committed with a firearm. In that case, a minimum sentence of four year in prison is given.
In Canada, everyone is guaranteed to ‘reasonable bail’ under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There are no offenses for which bail is not available.
Homicide charges are the most serious offenses in Canada, and can include complex legal issues. Some issues may be circumstantial evidence, forensic evidence, expert witnesses, interpretation of the law, and violating a person’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Some homicide cases are not defensible and it is the duties of defense lawyers to help keep sentencing as lenient as possible.
The experienced Criminal Defense lawyers of Connolly Shurtz Law will make every possible effort to find precedence and provide strategic and incomparable arguments to demonstrate reasonable doubt, therefore requesting a reduction of charges, a reduction of jail time or an acquittal.