Maryland Murder Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Defense Attorney for Homicide Charges in Maryland

Murder is the most serious charge you can face in the state of Maryland. If you are convicted of homicide, you will face serious penalties, including the possibility of life in prison, sometimes without the possibility of parole. Having a dedicated, knowledgeable lawyer at your side during this process can be crucial. With legal assistance from a criminal defense attorney, you can determine the best ways to mitigate the consequences.

If you have been charged with murder in Maryland, the prosecution will focus on securing a conviction and imposing harsh penalties. At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, we will provide you with the finest legal counsel and representation possible, defending every facet of your case. Mr. Kadish is in his fourth decade of practicing criminal law, and Mr. Coyne is in his third decade of practicing criminal law. At our firm, we have garnered over 150 5-star reviews from satisfied clients. Each year, we secure acquittals as well as reduced charges and penalties for client charged in murder and manslaughter cases. We can provide the representation you need to defend against accusations of murder or manslaughter.

First-Degree Murder

First-degree murder is governed by Maryland Code, Criminal Law Section 2-201. This offense generally involves killing someone in a deliberate, premeditated, and willful fashion. You could also be charged with first-degree murder if you are accused of lying in wait for the victim, using poison, or killing someone while committing or attempting to commit a rape; a first-degree or second-degree sexual offense; robbery; carjacking; first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree burglary; first-degree arson; kidnapping; or mayhem.

If you are convicted of first-degree murder, you could face a sentence of life imprisonment, possibly without parole. Depending on the facts of your case, you may have a defense by arguing that the killing was not premeditated, was not intentional, or that you did not intend to cause death through your conduct. We work diligently to obtain an acquittal in every murder case. When that is not possible, we shift our energies to reducing the charges and penalties.

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is governed by Maryland Code, Criminal Law Section 2-204. You could be charged with second-degree murder if you are accused of intentionally killing someone in a way that was not premeditated or did not meet the standards for first-degree murder. A conviction for second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

If you have been accused of murder in the second degree, it is critical that you work with a skilled defense attorney who can help contest the charges against you. At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, we can help you determine whether you can assert that you were acting in self-defense, whether you were charged based on a mistaken identity, or whether other defense strategies may be available.

Manslaughter

If you are accused of causing someone else's death in circumstances that do not meet the criteria for first-degree or second-degree murder, you may be charged with manslaughter. This charge may be based on killing someone without malice or premeditation or killing someone through recklessness or negligence. If you are accused of causing an accident that resulted in a fatality while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could be charged with automotive manslaughter.

Manslaughter is governed by Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Section 2-207. Under the statute, manslaughter is a felony offense, and a conviction may lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years or up to two years of imprisonment in a local correctional facility and/or a $500 fine. Our attorneys can help you determine the best defense strategies to use when defending against manslaughter charges, and we will work to minimize the ways you may be affected.

Meet With a Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney

Fighting a charge of murder requires an aggressive, involved defense strategy. At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, our murder defense team can meet with you privately to discuss the best options available to contest the allegations against you. To schedule a free initial consultation with our attorneys, call our offices at 410-837-0020 or reach out to us online today.