Voluntary manslaughter is when an individual deliberately kills another because of anger or passion. The killing must have happened before the perpetrator had time to "calm down" or "cool off." If there was no emotional excitement that caused anger, the killing is...
Homicide
What to avoid doing if you’re charged with manslaughter
Being charged with manslaughter in St. Louis, MO can be life-altering given the nature of the crime. If you're convicted of this crime, the penalties can be steep and long-lasting. It is important to know what not to do after getting charged with manslaughter in order...
Can a mass shooting act result in the death penalty?
The definition of a mass shooting sometimes differs in the number of fatalities that have occurred and where it is done. The general idea is that a mass shooting a single incident in which four or more people are shot and killed. This can happen at one time and one...
Homicide versus manslaughter charges in Missouri
Many people have questions about manslaughter versus homicide charges in Missouri. Your best course of action after an arrest is to contact a criminal attorney experienced with your specific charges. However, these charges can be discussed in broad terms for initial...
America sees a startling rise in homicides
One of the year's most startling and, in some ways perplexing, developments is the drastic rise in homicides. In any given year, some cities will experience a rise in murders, for reasons that aren't always clear. 2020 was an outlier in the sense that murders didn't...
Different degrees of homicide under Illinois laws
Homicide is a severe crime in Illinois that can easily lead to a death or life sentence. But generally, penalties vary depending on the degree of the felony, which is determined based on the motivation or circumstances surrounding the crime perpetration. As much as...
When can people use self-defense in Missouri?
There are many different laws in Missouri designed to keep others safe. One of these laws is that it is illegal to assault others. However, for a variety of reasons assaults do occur and people are charged and some are ultimately convicted of the crime. People who are...
Understanding the castle doctrine
Recently, a Texas murder case grabbed national and international headlines. In that case, an off-duty police officer entered the wrong apartment, mistaking it for her own. Rather than apologizing and exiting the apartment, the officer shot the apartment's rightful...
Understanding Missouri’s stand your ground law
Missouri was the 25th state to adopt a "stand your ground" law. This statute states that gun owners have a right to defend themselves and their families whether in their homes or elsewhere. The first instance of this law used as a defense occurred just...
3 common homicide case errors
Countless people die every day, and the investigations that follow a murder usually occur at the hands of humans susceptible to error like anybody else. Of course, the stakes are much higher when the matter in question is a homicide, so investigators should avoid...