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Gainesville Murder Defense Attorney

Are you being accused of committing murder? If yes, it can be difficult to determine how to clear your name and save yourself from a lifelong sentence that will also affect the people you love. The law is very tough against those who are found guilty of committing any level of murder. Fortunately, you can have a fighting chance in arguing against these charges with the help of our Gainesville murder defense attorneys at The Law Office of Kimberly Stover, PLLC.

Virginia Murder Defense Attorney

The Law Office of Kimberly Stover, PLLC knows how life-changing a murder case can be, and if you are found guilty, you may find yourself behind bars forever, and your family will have to pay for any financial penalties you will be ordered to pay to the victims. If you partner with a legal team that cannot analyze your case properly and cannot determine the right defense strategy, these consequences will be your fate. Hence, it is important that you reach out to an experienced criminal law firm immediately so you can get a step ahead in your case and build a solid defense.

Our murder defense attorneys are qualified and reliable. They will carefully consider all the evidence presented before speaking with you on how we can defend you in court. We will also provide you with all the resources you need to keep up with the trial and know the potential outcomes for your case. Rest assured, your investment is safe with us, and you will not be disappointed in making us your legal team in this challenging time.

Call The Law Office of Kimberly Stover, PLLC at (703) 810-3571 for your Free Case Consultation with an Gainesville Murder Defense Attorney!

Murder Laws in Virginia

In Virginia, all types of murder – from capital murder to manslaughter – are considered felonies. Murder is also classified as a common law crime and crimes against the person under the state’s criminal statute; however, this classification is not applicable to manslaughter.

Murder Defense Lawyer in VirginiaThe various types of murder, and their penalties, listed under Virginia’s criminal statute, are as follows:

Capital Murder

Capital murder is considered a Class 1 felony and can be committed by committing one of 15 offenses deliberately, intentionally, and with premeditation. These 15 offenses are as follows:

  • Killing anyone in the middle of a kidnapping or an abduction with the kidnapping or abduction done as a way to defile the victim or extort money;
  • Hire a person to kill anyone, and the victim is killed;
  • Kills anyone when they are in prison or in custody of an employee of either a state or local correctional facility;
  • Kill anyone during an attempted robbery or actual robbery;
  • Kill anyone while or after a rape, forced sodomy, object of sexual penetration, or an attempt of any of these sexual crimes;
  • Kill a law enforcer, a firefighter acting in a police capacity, or a deputy/auxiliary police officer, and the killing was made to stop them from fulfilling their official duties;
  • Kill more than one person as part of the same crime or transaction;
  • Kill at least two people within a three-year span;
  • Kill someone during a drug-related crime involving a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance;
  • Kill someone because they were ordered to by their superiors, and this superior is a part of a drug crime syndicate;
  • Kill a pregnant woman and the suspect knows the victim is pregnant and they intend to kill the unborn child;
  • Kill anyone under 14, and the suspect is over 21 years old;
  • Kill anyone in the name of terrorism or during an attempt to commit a terrorist act;
  • Kill a judge to interfere with their official duties;
  • Kill a witness in a crime to prevent them from giving testimony or acting as a witness.

If a person is found guilty of capital murder and they are at least 18 years old, and of sound mind, they will face a conviction and either a death sentence or life sentence. They may also pay a fine of up to $100,000. If the defendant is under 18 years old or mentally retarded, they may face a conviction with life imprisonment and fines up to $100,000.

First-Degree Murder

First-degree murder is determined if the person kills someone, and the conditions of the murder are not included in the list of offenses covered by capital murder. These conditions include:

  • Poisoned, lying in wait, starving, or imprisonment
  • Any intentional or premeditated killing or
  • While committing or trying to commit rape, object sexual penetration, burglary, robbery, abduction, or forcible sodomy

First-degree murder also does not require premeditation, deliberate character, or willfulness for the act to be considered. If the act was done in a willful, premeditated, or deliberate manner but does not meet the offenses under capital murder, it qualifies as first-degree murder.

If found guilty, criminals who committed first-degree murder will face a Class 2 felony offense. They will also face 20 years to life in prison and fines up to $100,000.

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is committed if an individual murders someone, and it does not meet the requirements for either capital murder or first-degree murder. If one is found guilty of committing second-degree murder, they will face five to 40 years in prison and fines if the court deems it.

Murder of a Pregnant Woman

Virginia also has a special statute for murder involving a pregnant woman. If it is premeditated, intentional, or deliberate, it is grounds to be convicted of capital murder. However, if the murder was done without premeditation or not done deliberately or intentionally, and they did the act knowing that they would kill an unborn child or fetus, they would also be guilty of murdering a pregnant woman.

If found guilty, the individual is facing 10 to 40 years in prison and a felony conviction.

Manslaughter

Voluntary and involuntary manslaughter is not defined in Virginia’s statutes. However, it is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

Voluntary manslaughter is defined by the Court of Appeals of Virginia as manslaughter with “an intentional, non-malicious homicide and occurred in sudden mutual combat or as a result of the heat of passion induced by reasonable provocation.” Meanwhile, involuntary manslaughter is the unintentional killing of another person. The accidental killing of a person due to driving under the influence is also considered involuntary manslaughter.

The penalties for either manslaughter offense can either be jail time from 1 to 10 years or, at the discretion of the jury or the court, a shortened penalty of up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $2,500.

Felony Homicide

An individual who committed murder can also be charged with felony homicide. Felony homicide happens when an individual is committing a non-murder felony and accidentally kills a person.

Felony homicide is considered second-degree murder and has the same penalty.

Attempted Murder

A separate section regarding attempted murder is also in the Virginia criminal code. For these offenses, the penalties are as follows:

  • If an individual is guilty of attempting capital murder, they will face a Class 2 felony conviction and a prison sentence from 20 years to life and a possible fine of up to $100,000.
  • If an individual is guilty of attempting first-degree or second-degree murder, they will face a Class 4 felony and face a prison sentence from 2 to 10 years in prison or a possible fine of up to $100,000.

No matter which type of murder charges you are facing, our Gainesville murder defense attorneys are ready to provide you with the legal services you need. We will also represent you in court once we know all the details and develop the defense we will use.

Comprehensive Murder Defense Services

For felony cases like murder, The Law Office of Kimberly Stover, PLLC employs a variety of defense strategies to help clients deal with their cases. We will take our time to collect information about your case, know your prior convictions for other cases and modify the defense strategies that can bring a favorable outcome for your situation.

Virginia Criminal Defense AttorneysWe have already worked with various clients facing all levels of murder charges throughout our tenure. Thanks to this, we are often able to find ways to align our strategies to your benefit and build the defense that will shake the allegations against you. We will also be able to explain to you how we will handle the case and the defense, preparing you in the process.

Here are some of the defenses we can use for your murder case regardless of what level of murder charges you are facing:

1. Mistaken identity
2. Failure to prove elements
3. Accidental killing
4. Justification
5. Self-defense
6. Act in Defense of others
7. Exercise of duty
8. Insanity

Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to use our Free Case Consultation service to get these questions answered, and one of our attorneys will review your case to provide the advice you need.

Experienced Murder Defense Lawyers

If you are accused of committing murder in Gainesville, you need the best-trained defense lawyers in the city to help you understand Virginia’s statute on murder and plan the defense to match the case.

Since we started offering our legal services, our team has handled various types of murder cases and provided excellent legal solutions which we believe are best for your case. We will guide you through the case while also making sure that you don’t feel too pressured and stressed out by your current legal problems.

With us, we will serve as your legal representative as you face the following stages:

  1. Arrest
  2. Booking
  3. Bond or Bail
  4. Arraignment/Advisement/First Appearance
  5. Trial
  6. Appeal

Rest assured, our team will make sure that your rights and interests are heard and respected in court.

Credible Gainesville Murder Defense Attorney

The Law Office of Kimberly Stover, PLLC has a stellar reputation for providing personalized legal services for any client that needs them. Whether this is the first time you are dealing with this type of charge, or you have prior convictions, our Gainesville murder defense attorney will use their experience and skills to help you understand the charges against you and provide you with representation.

Once you reach out to us, our legal team will look into the charges against you and build the best defense possible to get the charges dismissed or penalties reduced. Our team will also make sure that you are aware of each legal action we will take and prepare you with the help of various resources and tools for any outcome.

We are also ready to help you with criminal charges added to your murder charges. Simply let us know what charges are thrown against you, and we’ll provide you with the right legal service you need.

Free Case Consultation With Our Murder Defense Attorney

Gainesville Murder Defense Attorney The Law Office of Kimberly Stove Logo

If you are being accused of or charged with murder, you should immediately reach out to an experienced Gainesville, VA criminal law firm to build your legal defense.

With The Law Office of Kimberly Stover, PLLC, you will be able to request the assistance of our murder defense attorneys, who will immediately mobilize to help you defend yourself and build the strategy that will clear your name or reduce the impact any conviction will bring to you and your family. You will also get an attorney who will be with you in every step of the case and help you understand the proceedings, as well as prepare for all possible outcomes.

Contact us today to learn more about our legal services and how we can help you with your case.

Call The Law Office of Kimberly Stover, PLLC at (703) 810-3571 for your Free Case Consultation with an Gainesville Murder Defense Attorney!