CALL US 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK 03300 536 786
At Tyler Hoffman, our experienced criminal defence lawyers have dealt with a range of murder/homicide cases. These offences rank as the most serious offences that come before the courts. As such, anybody under investigation for such offences needs the intervention of an experienced team of criminal lawyers to review every aspect of the allegation.
Instructions should be given at the very earliest opportunity so we can help to protect your legal position during your initial police station interview. In cases like this, the intervention of a criminal law solicitor at the police station can make a significant difference to your defence before the court process begins.
Tyler Hoffman's criminal defence solicitors can prepare you for your interview and help you to comply with the investigation in the right way. We can also explore whether or not the accused person was acting in lawful self-defence, whether there was any justification in law for the killing and whether there is forensic evidence that could prove their innocence.
There are several ways to approach defending a murder charge, and the criminal defence team at Tyler Hoffman will tailor your defence strategy based on the specific circumstances of the alleged offence. Our criminal solicitors can offer expert advice and legal representation at all stages of the legal process, from your initial interview with the police to trial preparation for your appearance in Crown Court hearings. If you plead or are found guilty, we can also present mitigating circumstances in your defence during sentencing, to make sure that the sentence is not excessive or harsh.
Call us on 03300 536786
Expertise: Our solicitors specialise in criminal law, with a specific focus on cases of murder or manslaughter. We have a deep understanding of the legal nuances and complexities surrounding these charges.
Experience: With years of experience representing clients in cases of murder or manslaughter, we have honed our skills and developed effective strategies to protect our clients' interests.
Personalised Approach: We recognize that each client's situation is unique, and we tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Our solicitors provide compassionate support and clear communication throughout the legal process.
Track Record: Our firm has achieved numerous successful outcomes in cases of murder or manslaughter. We are dedicated to fighting for the best possible result in every client's case.
Integrity and Confidentiality: At Tyler Hoffman, we prioritise integrity and confidentiality in all our interactions. You can trust us to handle your case with the utmost professionalism and discretion.
If you are suspected of murder, there are a few different types of charges you may have to face. Depending on the circumstances, you may be charged with manslaughter rather than murder, and it is sometimes possible to plead guilty to a lesser offence to secure a less severe sentence. It is important to understand the differences between these types of offences to recognise your options and understand what the consequences of your decisions could be.
Murder is a common law offence defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought, which is known in legal terms as mens rea. The Crown Prosecution Service does not necessarily have to prove that you intended to kill the victim - the intention to cause grievous bodily harm can also result in a murder charge if the victim dies as a result. Intending either to kill or harm a victim constitutes mens rea.
Manslaughter is unlawful homicide without the full mens rea for murder or where there is partial mitigation. There are two broad categories: voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter charges are possible in legal cases where all the elements of murder are present, but the defendant's criminal defence lawyer is able to raise a partial defence that reduces the offence to manslaughter.
Involuntary manslaughter arises when the defendant did not have the intention to kill or cause GBH, but their conduct was sufficiently blameworthy to amount to a criminal offence. This may arise in situations where the defendant committed an unlawful, dangerous act which causes death. If the act was a crime and would be seen as dangerous by a reasonable person, this could constitute constructive manslaughter. Another type of involuntary manslaughter is gross negligence manslaughter, where someone breaches their duty of care to someone else in a way that leads to their death. If an employer causes someone to work under dangerous conditions and they die as a result, this could lead to a charge of gross negligence manslaughter.
There are defences available in many murder cases, and an experienced criminal law solicitor can review the circumstances under which you have been accused to identify options that may be available to you. These include complete defences, which mean that the defendant is fully acquitted of murder if they successfully mount the defence. There are also partial defences, which can reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter.
The main defences are as follows:
A person may use reasonable force to defend themselves, others, or property. To successfully argue self-defence, you and your criminal defence lawyer must establish two key elements:
If excessive force was used, this defence is unlikely to be successful, but partial defences may still be considered. Only in circumstances where the defendant had no choice but to use force to defend themselves will this be a possibility, although it can be difficult to prove in court.
The UK uses the M'Naghten rules as the legal test for insanity and, if your solicitor can prove that you were legally insane at the time of the alleged offence, this may act as a defence. The requirement is worded as follows:
If successful, this defence results in a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. However, this is rarely successful and can be difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, so most murder lawyers will not rely on this defence except in particularly unique circumstances.
Where the act was committed involuntarily and unconsciously by someone who was not aware of their actions due to their mental condition, this may be raised in the person's defence. This is rarely successful, and relies on arguing that the defendant is not guilty because the action that resulted in the murder:
The automatism must not be self-induced (for example, caused by voluntary intoxication). Most experienced criminal defence lawyers will advise against this approach in all but the most exceptional cases. Despite this, if this defence is successfully proved, the defendant is acquitted.
A partial defence will not result in an acquittal but may reduce the conviction to voluntary manslaughter if successful. This can be important, as manslaughter carries a discretionary sentence rather than a mandatory life sentence. This means that there is more scope to reduce the sentence in light of mitigating circumstances and prevent excessive penalties from being imposed.
Some partial defences include:
The best approach will depend on the specific circumstances of the alleged offence and what you are accused of. Working with a law firm with significant experience in criminal cases can give you peace of mind and the reassurance that you will receive the best possible outcome based on your situation.
If a person is convicted of murder in England and Wales, the court will impose a mandatory life sentence as required under the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965. Unlike other offences where the judge has discretion, no other sentence is available for a conviction of murder. However, the court will set a minimum term, sometimes called a tariff, for the sentence. This marks the period that the offender must serve in custody before they can apply to the Parole Board for release on licence.
A judge determines this minimum term based on the seriousness of the offence based on the most recent sentencing guidelines. The factors the court will consider when evaluating the sentence include:
A 12-year minimum term custodial sentence is the starting point for a life imprisonment sentence when you are convicted of murder. Once the minimum term is served, the offender may apply for parole. After their release, the offender will remain on life licence for the rest of their life and, if they breach the conditions of licence or commit another offence, they can be recalled to prison at any time.
However, 12 years is only the lowest minimum term available, and various aggravating factors can increase this - the tariff can be set as high as 30 years' minimum term or even a whole life order. The latter means the offender will never be eligible for release, and there are a number of circumstances that might lead to a whole life order being imposed. A murder committed to advance a political, religious or ideological cause, or by someone who has previously been convicted of murder, might result in a whole life order.
If the charge is reduced to manslaughter thanks to the efforts of an experienced criminal lawyer, the court has discretion in sentencing and can impose any of the following penalties:
When a discretionary sentence is available, the judge can impose life imprisonment or a lesser sentence, and your solicitor will have a significant role in presenting mitigating circumstances. This means that they will present during court proceedings any evidence that could reduce the sentence.
If you’ve been accused of murder or manslaughter, you need specialist legal representation without delay. Tyler Hoffman offers expert advice and support. Call our 24/7 accessible law firm on 03300 536786 for a confidential consultation, or use the contact form on this page - we aim to respond within 2 hours and can call you back at a time that works for you.
Tyler Hoffman provides skilled defence for individuals accused of arson, addressing both the intentional setting of fires and the resulting damage or harm. We focus on challenging the evidence of intent and examining the circumstances that led to the fire, aiming to reduce or dismiss charges based on factual and technical analyses.
Our criminal defence solicitors defend clients facing charges ranging from common assault to aggravated bodily harm. We examine the context of the alleged incident, exploring defences such as self-defence, defence of another, or mistaken identity, ensuring that your side of the story is robustly represented.
Our criminal defence lawyers have experience in defending clients accused of benefit fraud, which involves allegations of deceitfully claiming government benefits. We focus on demonstrating the legitimacy of claims or misunderstanding of eligibility requirements, aiming for reduced penalties or case dismissal.
We provide defence for clients involved in allegations of obtaining money, property, or favourable actions through threats. Our approach includes scrutinising the evidence, protecting client privacy, and negotiating to mitigate the impact of such charges.
Our solicitors defend against charges of property damage, focusing on intent and the actual circumstances leading to the damage. We contest the valuation of damage and aim to demonstrate lack of malicious intent, which can be pivotal in the outcome of the case.
Handling sensitive cases of child neglect, Tyler Hoffman solicitors work to understand and convey the complexities of clients' family dynamics. We emphasise factors such as socioeconomic challenges, aiming to achieve resolutions that favour family preservation.
For conspiracy charges, where individuals are accused of agreeing to commit a crime, our focus is on disproving the existence of an agreement or criminal intent. We meticulously review communications and interactions to challenge prosecutorial interpretations.
Tyler Hoffman is adept at handling cybercrime cases, from unauthorised access to data breaches. We utilise specialists to challenge digital evidence and address the technicalities of internet law, ensuring a defence that is informed by cutting-edge technological insights.
For owners charged with having a dangerous dog, our defence strategy involves proving responsible pet ownership and challenging any misconceptions about the animal's behaviour. We also focus on the circumstances of the alleged incident to mitigate legal consequences.
Our firm defends clients against all types of drug offences, including possession, trafficking, and production. We challenge the legality of searches and seizures, the accuracy of substance identification, and intent, which are crucial for a robust defence.
Tyler Hoffman represents businesses and individuals accused of violating environmental laws. Our strategy involves demonstrating compliance with regulations, or negotiating penalties focusing on remedial actions taken by the accused.
In fraud cases, we focus on the intent to deceive and the actual loss or gain. Our solicitors trace financial transactions to provide a clear picture of the client’s actions, challenging allegations of deceitful intent. We have a team dedicated to handling criminal investigations involving fraud accusations.
Handling firearms offences, we address issues around possession, licensing and intent. We defend clients by challenging the prosecution’s evidence regarding the legality of the firearm possession and the circumstances under which it was found.
We defend against harassment charges by examining the nature and context of the behaviour in question. Our focus is on disproving any intent to cause distress or fear, aiming for acquittal or reduced charges.
Tyler Hoffman offers defence for serious charges like human trafficking, focusing on the intricacies of international law and the specific actions of the accused. We challenge the prosecution’s narrative by presenting alternative explanations for the accused's conduct.
Our solicitors defend against kidnap and false imprisonment allegations by challenging evidence around consent and the circumstances of the detainment, aiming to highlight inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.
We defend clients accused of laundering money by demonstrating lawful sources of income and challenging the alleged connections to criminal activities. Our detailed financial analyses are crucial to undermining the prosecution’s claims.
Tyler Hoffman handles the most serious of allegations with a focus on meticulous evidence review, motive analysis, and challenging prosecutorial evidence. We explore all possible defences, from self-defence to diminished responsibility.
Defending against these serious allegations involves challenging the intent and circumstances under which the alleged acts occurred. We focus on discrepancies and motivations to provide a strong defence.
Our solicitors handle POCA proceedings by protecting assets and demonstrating lawful ownership or origins of property, crucial for mitigating the impact of confiscation orders.
We defend against robbery charges by challenging identifications, the presence of a weapon, and the circumstances of the alleged offence, focusing on inconsistencies in witness testimonies and procedural issues.
Our firm defends against all forms of theft by focusing on intent and ownership disputes. We challenge the value of stolen items and circumstances surrounding the alleged theft to reduce or dismiss charges.