Murder is one of the most serious crimes you can commit in Arizona.
According to ARS 13-1105, a person is guilty under Arizona law of this charge if they take premeditated action with the intent to kill another person—this includes unknowingly killing an unborn child. A first-degree murder charge will also be added to any individual’s indictment if the murder is part of another felony charge like kidnapping, terrorism, sexual assault, robbery, arson, child abuse, burglary and other drug crimes.
If you’re facing a first-degree murder charge in Arizona, our first-degree murder lawyers at JacksonWhite can support you in building a defense against them. With decades of experience in criminal defense, we’ll pull out all the stops to seek reduced or dropped charges for your case.
What is First-Degree Murder?
According to ARS 13-1105, first-degree murder in Arizona is defined as an act where a person intends to cause the death of another person or knows that their actions will result in another person’s death. The statute also includes causing the death of an unborn child with premeditation or by causing the death of another person with premeditation.
ARS 13-1105 also defines other acts that constitute first-degree murder, like causing the death of another person in furtherance of another crime, such as sexual assault, dangerous drug offenses, kidnapping, or burglary. The statute also includes intending to cause the death of a law enforcement officer.
All together, there are three types of first-degree murder:
- Premeditated Murder – Premeditated murder is an act where a person thinks about and plans to kill another person prior to the act of murder. In many cases, this step separates first-degree murder from second-degree murder.
- Felony Murder – Felony murder occurs when an individual kills someone else in the act of performing another crime, such as robbery or kidnapping.
- Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer – This act involves engaging in a behavior knowing that a police officer would die as a result of their actions and does not require premeditation to be considered first-degree murder.
If you have been charged with first-degree murder for any reason, you should seek the support of a skilled attorney as soon as possible. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you understand your charges and the legal avenues available to you.
First-Degree Murder Penalties in Arizona
Punishment for first-degree murder in Arizona ranges from death to life imprisonment and will depend on the severity of your actions and the circumstances surrounding them. The minimum sentencing one can hope to achieve is life imprisonment with a possibility of parole after 25 years are served. Other aggravating factors can influence sentencing—for example, if you committed first-degree murder as the result of another crime.
Given the severity of penalties associated with first-degree murder, it’s essential to seek the support of an attorney if you or a loved one has been charged with first-degree murder. A first-degree murder attorney, like those here at JacksonWhite, can help you build a defense to increase your chances of parole or dropped charges, if possible.
Why Hire a Phoenix First-Degree Murder Lawyer?
If you are facing first-degree murder charges in Arizona, you should seek the support of a skilled attorney as soon as possible. Without a lawyer, you put yourself at risk of facing the harshest penalties under the law, especially against a harsh prosecution team seeking a conviction.
Hiring a first-degree murder lawyer in Phoenix like ours at JacksonWhite offers all the following benefits:
- Expert Legal Defense – We are experts in defending against serious legal charges and understanding what it takes to build a strong case, so we will put this into practice in search of reduced charges for your case.
- Knowledge of Arizona Law – Our attorneys have a firm understanding of Arizona statutes, nuances related and what’s necessary to build a strong defense.
- Protection of Your Rights – An experienced attorney will advocate for you and your constitutional rights throughout the entire legal process.
- Strategic Negotiations – Our team has experience in successfully negotiating with the prosecution side in search of reduced charges or plea deals for our clients.
- Case Investigation – We can perform an in-depth investigation of your case, including gathering evidence, witness accounts and expert testimony to build you a strong defense.
- Courtroom Experience – Our attorneys have significant experience in the courtroom, so we’re able to provide crucial representation in presenting your defense and combating the prosecution’s argument.
- Emotional Support – We not only help you combat your charges, but we also help you navigate the stress of an overwhelming time by providing guidance and support.
An experienced lawyer is a crucial resource in helping you build an effective defense against a murder charge while also providing a strong level of support during a stressful time. When you hire our attorneys at JacksonWhite Law, we’ll offer a free initial case review, allowing us to understand your case and begin navigating your legal options.
Our Approach To Defending You in Your Case
At JacksonWhite Law, our attorneys will take a detailed, dedicated approach to building a defense for your case. Using our decades of legal experience, we take a personalized, compassionate approach to defending clients. We begin every case with a free initial case review, allowing us to understand the charges against you and build a firm defense strategy to combat them.
Following this review, we’ll take the following steps to support you in your case:
- Personalized Attention – We will work diligently to understand your unique case and provide you with the one-on-one guidance necessary to navigate your case and maintain a solid defense.
- Thorough Investigation – We’ll perform a detailed investigation of your case that involves gathering witness testimony, reviewing police reports and understanding all the facts of the case to develop the best defense.
- Aggressive Advocacy – Whether it’s before the jury or during negotiations with the prosecution, we’ll advocate for you, your rights and your future throughout the entire case.
These are just a few key examples of how we will dedicate ourselves to your case and strive for a positive outcome. When you schedule your free case review with us, we’ll be able to gather a deeper understanding of your case and start crafting a personalized defense strategy. Contact our criminal defense team today.
Potential First-Degree Murder Defense Strategies
It takes a skilled first-degree murder attorney to build a strong defense against first-degree murder charges. However, a lawyer with enough experience knows what legal avenues to pursue. Our first-degree murder lawyers at JacksonWhite have decades of experience in criminal defense, allowing us to defend countless clients against harsh charges.
At JacksonWhite Law, we may be able to use some of the following possible defenses for your case:
- Self-Defense – One of the most effective defenses for murder charges is self-defense. Using this defense; our attorneys can attempt to prove that your deadly actions were necessary in order to counteract the deadly force against you.
- Supervening Causes – This option means that the individual you attacked did not die because of your actions, but instead because of a later occurrence, justifying a reduced or dropped charge.
- Insanity Defense – If you have a mental condition that may have influenced your actions, this can be used in your defense to advocate for receiving treatment for the disorder rather than prison time.
- Mistaken Identity – In cases where the identity of the alleged perpetrator is mistaken, our attorneys will seek evidence to clarify the case and get the charges against the mistakenly accused dropped.
- Alibi – If the accused party was not present at the crime scene of the murder, our attorneys may be able to gather and present evidence surrounding this alibi to seek dropped charges.
Beyond murder defenses, our criminal attorneys will look at common criminal law defense for options like; looking at the accuracy of evidence, or investigating whether a defendant’s Miranda rights were violated. Both of these defenses would result in a minimization of possible sentencing for the defendant. Contact our criminal law team to learn more about how our Phoenix first-degree murder attorneys can support you in building a defense against harsh charges.
What Outcomes Can You Expect If You Hire Us?
Our first-degree murder attorneys at JacksonWhite work diligently in pursuit of our clients’ peace of mind. We advocate for you throughout your entire case to help you seek the best possible outcome—working with us increases your chances of avoiding the harshest penalties under the law.
We may be able to support you in achieving all of the following outcomes:
- Reduced Charges – With a strong case and enough evidence, we may be able to negotiate with the prosecution team for a lesser charge, such as second-degree murder or manslaughter.
- Acquittal – In cases where we can gather enough evidence in your favor, we may be able to dismantle the prosecution’s case and accomplish a not-guilty verdict from the jury.
- Dismissed Case – If we can identify errors in the prosecution’s case or cite insufficient evidence against you, we may be able to get your case dismissed.
- Lighter Sentence – In cases where a conviction may be unavoidable, we may be able to get your sentence reduced to a lighter one, with less severe penalties.
- Plea Bargain – By negotiating with the prosecution team, we may be able to advocate for a plea deal that avoids a lengthy trial and reduces the potential penalties.
The potential outcomes for any case depend specifically on the details of each specific situation and the available facts. To learn more about the potential outcomes for your specific case and your available legal options, it’s important that you discuss with a skilled attorney. At JacksonWhite Law, we’ll stand by your side to advocate for a fair trial that maximizes your chances of a more favorable outcome.
Schedule a Free Case Review for First-Degree Murder Charges
If you are charged with first-degree murder in Arizona, you need experienced legal representation. A skilled first-degree murder lawyer will work to understand all the unique details of your case and build a defense that reduces your chances of facing the harshest possible penalties under the law.
JacksonWhite Law’s dedicated criminal defense team, led by attorney Jeremy Geigle, has been recognized for our ability to defend and minimize potential sentencing for defendants throughout Arizona. When you contact our team of Phoenix first-degree murder attorneys for a free case review, we’ll explore all your potential legal options and help you develop a rigid case to combat severe penalties.
Call (480) 467-4370 to make an appointment for a free and private consultation today in order to receive the legal advice you require.