Manslaughter

While manslaughter is not as serious a crime as first and second-degree murder, it is nonetheless a very serious charge that requires a knowledgeable, serious Arizona manslaughter defense attorney.  As a class 2 felony, a conviction for an Arizona charge of manslaughter can involve many years in prison, not to mention the collateral consequences of living with a felony conviction on your record. These collateral consequences can include an inability to obtain employment, an adverse effect on housing, welfare, immigration, professional licensure, property rights, and other opportunities.  Facing manslaughter charges in Maricopa County, including the greater Phoenix metro areas, of Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale or Tempe?  Get our team at Ciccarelli Law Offices today. 

Those with a felony conviction may not be allowed to own a firearm, or even to vote. According to a government report, more than 87 percent of all employers now conduct background checks, and most employers are unwilling to hire applicants who have served time in prison. The results of this are that about 60 percent of those formerly incarcerated remain unemployed for a minimum of one year following their release. 

For all these reasons, the importance of having an experienced, highly-skilled Arizona manslaughter defense attorney from the Ciccarelli Law Offices defending you cannot be overstated. 

Why Should You Choose the Ciccarelli Law Offices for Your Arizona Manslaughter Charges?

If you have been charged with manslaughter in Arizona, you cannot simply hope it will all turn out okay. You need the solid, knowledgeable criminal defense team from Ciccarelli Law Offices. 

At the Ciccarelli Law Offices, we regularly fight for justice for our clients, aggressively defending them against criminal charges. We will fight for justice on your behalf, aggressively defending you against manslaughter charges and working hard to have your charges reduced or dismissed before you even appear in court. 

It is virtually never a good idea to fight criminal charges on your own. Penalties for a felony conviction can be severe, and the conviction can remain on your record for a significant length of time. Because of that, it simply makes sense to hire respected, experienced attorneys who will advocate fiercely on your behalf. 

Attorney Lee Ciccarelli leads a team that brings a combined one hundred years of national criminal defense experience, both in state and federal courts. We understand that you have choices and that you are looking for the very best criminal defense attorney to fight for you. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, Your Success is Our Mission.  

What Is the Law in Arizona Regarding Manslaughter?

The criminal offense of manslaughter is covered under Arizona Statutes, A.R.S. Section 13-1103. Manslaughter can be charged in five different ways under these statutes:

• Manslaughter of Unborn Child—If you knew or should have known a woman was pregnant yet you knowingly or recklessly caused the death of the unborn child via a physical injury to the mother, you could be charged with Manslaughter of an Unborn Child.    

1. Manslaughter by Force—If you are charged with Manslaughter by Force, it must be shown that you were forced into reckless actions due to the use of or threat of unlawful deadly force against you or another person. It must be shown that another reasonable person, given the same set of circumstances would have taken the same actions. 
2. Manslaughter—Reckless—To be convicted of reckless manslaughter, the prosecution must prove you caused the death of another person through your recklessness. Reckless behavior means you were aware there was a substantial, unjustifiable risk of death to the other person, and showed a conscious disregard for that. If the homicide involved a vehicle and a reckless driver (often under the influence of drugs or alcohol), Vehicular Manslaughter could be charged.
3. Manslaughter by Sudden Quarrel or Heat of Passion—If the death is the result of being provoked by the person who was killed during a quarrel, and could be considered in the heat of passion, this type of manslaughter would be charged. The level of provocation must be sufficient enough that it would have caused a reasonable person to lose his or her self-control. If, for example, an individual came home to find his or her spouse in bed with another person, this might be considered sufficient provocation to result in manslaughter charges rather than murder. 
4. Manslaughter by Aiding Suicide—With clear intent you provided the means for another individual to commit suicide, knowing full well that person’s intentions.   

What are the Potential Penalties for a Manslaughter Conviction in Arizona?

As a Class 2 Felony, the sentencing for a conviction of manslaughter will vary, according to the facts and circumstances surrounding the crime. If you have no prior criminal record, and no weapon was used in the commission of the crime, you could face from three to 12.5 years in prison or probation with 0-12 months in jail. 

If you have a prior dangerous felony conviction, your prison sentence could range from 14 years to 28 years. If you have prior dangerous felony convictions, then your prison sentence could range from 21 years to 35 years. If you did use a weapon (or a car), a prison sentence is mandatory and the range is from 7 years to 21 years if you have no prior felony convictions, increasing if you do have prior felony convictions. 

What Are Some Potential Defenses to Charges of Manslaughter in Arizona?

As with any criminal charge, your exact defense will depend on the facts of the alleged crime. Some of the most common defenses to charges of manslaughter include:

• Actual innocence—i.e., you are not responsible for the death. 
• The police did not follow proper procedures when collecting evidence or failed to properly preserve the evidence.
• The scene of the crime was not properly preserved and documented. 
• The crime lab made errors when testing evidence, rendering it inaccurate and unreliable. 
• The expert hired by the prosecution used a flawed method when reconstructing how the crime occurred. 
• You did not exhibit the level of reckless behavior necessary to charge you with manslaughter
• The witnesses to the alleged crime are unreliable or have ulterior motives. 
• There was not a valid warrant for the evidence. 
• You were not read your Miranda rights following your arrest or you were denied the right to contact an attorney. 

Call a Phoenix Murder Defense & Violent Crimes Attorney Today

If you or somebody you love is facing manslaughter charges in the greater Phoenix metro area, Maricopa County including but not limited to Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale or Gilbert, you need to contact an attorney immediately. Not any attorney will do and you likely need a team of Smart, Experienced, Aggressive, Determined lawyers that fight back at manslaughter charges. Now is the time for action and the time for Lee Ciccarelli and his team.

Do not speak to law enforcement officials or prosecutors until you have legal counsel by your side. At the Ciccarelli Law Offices, our team has a track record of success helping clients get through incredibly complex criminal defense cases. We know that the stakes are high, and we will use all of our resources to ensure you are treated fairly. When you need a Phoenix manslaughter attorney, reach out to our team today. We are determined to fight for our clients. It’s in our DNA to have your back and your Success is Our Mission.