Michigan Murder Defense Lawyer

First-degree murder charges require proof of premeditation and deliberation, meaning prosecutors must show you planned the killing in advance. We scrutinize every piece of evidence related to intent and planning, challenging witness testimony, questioning forensic evidence, and investigating alternative explanations for the death. Our defense strategies often focus on disproving premeditation, establishing reasonable doubt about your involvement, or demonstrating that the killing occurred without advance planning. If you are facing first-degree murder charges in Lansing, immediate legal representation is essential because prosecutors will be building their case from the moment of your arrest.

Second-degree murder involves intentional killing without premeditation, and the prosecution must prove you intended to kill or cause great bodily harm. We examine whether the evidence truly supports intent to kill, investigate whether the death was accidental, and explore whether lesser charges like manslaughter are more appropriate. In many cases, we can present evidence showing the incident resulted from sudden passion, fear, or circumstances that negate the intent required for murder. Our experience with homicide cases in mid-Michigan gives us insight into how Ingham County prosecutors approach these charges and where vulnerabilities exist in their cases.

Felony murder charges do not require proof that you intended to kill anyone, only that a death occurred during certain dangerous felonies. This makes defending against felony murder particularly complex because prosecutors can secure a murder conviction even if the death was accidental or caused by someone else. We attack felony murder charges by challenging whether the underlying felony occurred, questioning your involvement in the felony, demonstrating that you were not the cause of death, or showing that the death was not a foreseeable consequence of the alleged felony. If the underlying felony involves allegations of robbery, kidnapping, sexual assault, or carjacking, we defend against both the felony and the murder charge simultaneously.

Voluntary manslaughter involves killing in the heat of passion after adequate provocation. The key legal question is whether you were provoked to the point that a reasonable person would have lost control, and whether you acted while still under the influence of that passion. We present evidence showing the provocation was sufficient, the time between provocation and the killing was too brief for passion to cool, and your actions were the result of that heat of passion rather than premeditated intent. Voluntary manslaughter carries significantly lower penalties than murder, making it a favorable resolution in many cases.

Involuntary manslaughter charges arise when death results from reckless conduct or criminal negligence without intent to kill. These cases often involve DUI crashes, reckless driving, or situations where someone’s grossly negligent actions caused death. We challenge whether your conduct truly rose to the level of criminal recklessness or gross negligence, investigate alternative causes of death, and examine whether the death was truly foreseeable. In cases involving vehicle crashes, we often work with accident reconstruction experts to establish what actually happened and whether criminal charges are justified.

Negligent homicide involves causing death through ordinary negligence rather than gross negligence or recklessness. This is the least serious homicide charge in Michigan and often arises from tragic accidents where someone’s carelessness resulted in death. We defend these cases by showing the death was truly accidental, questioning whether any negligence occurred, or demonstrating that the standard of care was met under the circumstances. While these charges are less severe than murder, a conviction still results in a felony record and potential prison time, making aggressive defense essential.

Michigan law recognizes that killing can be justified when done in self-defense or defense of others. We thoroughly investigate whether you reasonably believed you faced imminent death or serious bodily harm, whether you had a legal right to be where the incident occurred, and whether you used proportional force. Michigan’s self-defense laws do not require you to retreat from your home or place of business before using deadly force. If self-defense applies to your case, we present evidence showing you acted lawfully to protect yourself or others, transforming a murder charge into a case of justifiable homicide. Cases involving assault or domestic violence often raise self-defense issues that require immediate investigation.

We immediately contact the Lansing Police Department, Michigan State Police, or Ingham County Sheriff to ensure your rights are protected during questioning and to prevent illegal searches or coerced statements.

We launch our own investigation while evidence is still fresh, interviewing witnesses before memories fade, visiting crime scenes to document physical evidence, and securing surveillance footage before it is deleted.

We file legal motions to preserve all evidence, including police body camera footage, 911 recordings, forensic evidence, and electronic data that could support your defense.

We work with forensic pathologists, crime scene reconstruction experts, DNA specialists, and ballistics experts to challenge the prosecution’s forensic evidence and present alternative explanations.

We scrutinize every aspect of your arrest, questioning, and investigation for constitutional violations including illegal searches, Miranda violations, coerced confessions, and due process violations.

We interview and prepare defense witnesses, including alibi witnesses, character witnesses, and expert witnesses who can provide testimony supporting your innocence.

We file aggressive pretrial motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, dismiss charges based on insufficient evidence, and challenge the prosecution’s legal theories.

When appropriate, we negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, dismissals, or favorable plea agreements while always preparing for trial.

If your case goes to trial in Ingham County Circuit Court, we prepare a comprehensive defense including opening statements, cross-examination strategies, expert testimony, and closing arguments designed to create reasonable doubt.

If necessary, we handle appeals, sentence modifications, and other post-conviction remedies to protect your rights after trial.

If prosecutors cannot prove you intended to kill or cause great bodily harm, murder charges cannot be sustained. We present evidence showing the death was accidental, unintentional, or resulted from circumstances beyond your control.

Many murder cases involve witness identifications made under stressful circumstances or after significant time has passed. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable, and we challenge identifications using expert testimony, alibi evidence, and forensic evidence showing someone else committed the crime.

Michigan law allows you to use deadly force when you reasonably believe you face imminent death or serious bodily harm. We present evidence showing you acted in lawful self-defense, including testimony about threats, prior violence by the victim, and your state of mind during the incident.

If mental illness prevented you from forming the intent required for murder, an insanity defense or diminished capacity defense may apply. We work with forensic psychiatrists to evaluate your mental state and present evidence supporting these defenses.

Evidence obtained through illegal searches, coerced confessions, or Miranda violations must be suppressed. We file motions to exclude illegally obtained evidence, which can result in dismissal of charges when key evidence becomes inadmissible.

Prosecutors must prove every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is weak, circumstantial, or contradictory, we argue for dismissal at preliminary examination or acquittal at trial.

We investigate whether someone else committed the crime, presenting evidence of third-party guilt when it exists. This defense shifts focus away from you and creates reasonable doubt about your involvement.

If the death was truly accidental with no criminal intent or recklessness, we present evidence showing the incident was a tragic accident rather than a crime. This defense is particularly effective in cases involving sudden mechanical failure or medical emergencies such as a heart attack while driving.

Understanding your constitutional rights is critical when facing a murder investigation. You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment, and you should exercise this right immediately. Do not attempt to talk your way out of the situation or explain what happened. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court, even statements you believe help your case. Politely tell officers you are invoking your right to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney.

You have the right to an attorney under the Sixth Amendment, and this right attaches the moment you are in custody or subject to interrogation. Do not wait to request a lawyer. Once you invoke this right, police must stop questioning you until your attorney is present. Despite what you may see on television, police can lie to you during interrogations, claim they have evidence they do not possess, and use psychological manipulation to obtain confessions. Your attorney prevents these tactics from succeeding.

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. Police generally need a warrant to search your home, vehicle, or property unless specific exceptions apply. Do not consent to searches, even if you believe you have nothing to hide. Evidence found during illegal searches can be suppressed, potentially destroying the prosecution’s case. If police request to search without a warrant, politely decline and state you do not consent to any searches.

You have the right to a preliminary examination where prosecutors must present evidence showing probable cause that you committed the crime. This hearing, held in the 54A District Court or 54B District Court in Lansing, gives us an early opportunity to cross-examine prosecution witnesses and learn details about their case. You have the right to a speedy trial, though murder cases typically take longer than other criminal cases due to their complexity.

You are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and this presumption remains throughout your case. Prosecutors must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the highest burden of proof in our legal system. You have no obligation to present evidence or testify, though strategic decisions about whether to testify depend on the specific facts of your case.

If you are arrested, you have the right to reasonable bond in most cases, though murder charges often involve very high bonds or no bond. You have the right to humane treatment while in custody, including medical care, reasonable communication with family and attorneys, and protection from abuse by other inmates or jail staff.

No, never speak to police without an attorney present, even if you are innocent. Police are trained interrogators who use psychological techniques to obtain confessions or incriminating statements.

They can lie to you about evidence, mischaracterize what you say, and twist innocent explanations into admissions of guilt. Anything you say can be used against you in court, and innocent people have been convicted based on statements they made trying to help themselves.

Exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and demand an attorney immediately. Your silence cannot be used against you in court, and protecting your rights now prevents devastating consequences later.

Murder charges carry the most severe penalties in Michigan’s criminal justice system, including mandatory life in prison for first-degree murder and up to life in prison for second-degree murder and felony murder.

However, charges do not equal convictions. Many murder cases result in reduced charges like manslaughter, dismissals based on insufficient evidence, or acquittals at trial. Your outcome depends on the evidence, available defenses, and the skill of your defense attorney. Some cases involve legitimate self-defense, misidentification, or lack of intent that defeats murder charges entirely.

Murder cases typically take one to two years from arrest to resolution, though complex cases can take longer.

The timeline includes arraignment within 48 to 72 hours of arrest, preliminary examination within two weeks, bindover to circuit court, pretrial motions over several months, and trial. The discovery process in murder cases is extensive because prosecutors must turn over all evidence, forensic reports, witness statements, and police reports.

Our defense investigation also takes time because we conduct our own forensic testing, interview witnesses, and consult experts. While the process feels long, this time is necessary to build a thorough defense. Rushing to resolve a murder case often leads to poor outcomes.

Yes, many murder cases result in dismissal or reduction to lesser charges.

Dismissal can occur at preliminary examination if prosecutors fail to present sufficient evidence, through successful constitutional challenges that exclude key evidence, or when our investigation reveals you did not commit the crime. Charges can be reduced from murder to manslaughter when evidence shows lack of premeditation, heat of passion, or absence of intent to kill. Felony murder charges can be defeated by challenging the underlying felony or your involvement. Second-degree murder can be reduced to involuntary manslaughter when evidence supports recklessness rather than intent.

Each case has unique circumstances that determine which outcomes are possible. Our job is to identify every weakness in the prosecution’s case and leverage those weaknesses to secure the best possible result.

Your first court appearance, called an arraignment, typically occurs within 48 to 72 hours of arrest at either the 54A District Court or 54B District Court in the Lansing area.

The judge will read the formal charges, inform you of your rights, and address bond. In murder cases, prosecutors usually request no bond or extremely high bond, arguing you pose a flight risk or danger to the community. Your attorney can argue for reasonable bond by presenting evidence of your ties to the community, lack of criminal history, and circumstances showing you are not a flight risk.

The judge will set a date for your preliminary examination, usually within two weeks. Having an attorney at your arraignment is critical because what happens at this hearing affects your freedom throughout the case.

Being charged with a crime does not create a permanent criminal record, but being convicted does. If your murder charges are dismissed or you are acquitted at trial, you can petition to have your arrest record expunged. However, a murder conviction creates a permanent felony record that appears on background checks for employment, housing, professional licensing, and other purposes.

Under current Michigan law, murder convictions cannot be expunged, meaning the conviction stays on your record permanently. This is another reason why aggressive defense is essential. Preventing a conviction means preventing a lifetime criminal record.

Even if you face overwhelming evidence, negotiating a reduction to manslaughter or other lesser charges can make expungement possible in the future.

No, never plead guilty without consulting an experienced criminal defense attorney who has thoroughly investigated your case.

Evidence that seems overwhelming often has weaknesses that skilled attorneys can exploit. Police reports can be inaccurate, witness statements can be unreliable, forensic evidence can be challenged, and constitutional violations can exclude key evidence. Prosecutors routinely overcharge defendants, hoping they will plead guilty to avoid trial. Even when evidence is strong, negotiating a plea to lesser charges produces much better outcomes than pleading guilty to the original charges.

You have constitutional rights to a trial, to confront witnesses, and to force prosecutors to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. Do not give up these rights without exploring every possible defense. Contact Monument Legal for a case evaluation before making any decisions about pleading guilty.

Absolutely yes. Murder is the most serious charge in Michigan’s criminal justice system, carrying potential penalties of life in prison without parole.

The prosecution will assign experienced attorneys and investigators to build their case against you. Facing these resources without equally skilled legal representation is like entering a knife fight unarmed. A qualified Lansing murder defense attorney knows how to investigate homicide cases, challenge forensic evidence, cross-examine witnesses, file constitutional motions, negotiate with prosecutors, and defend murder cases at trial.

We provide dedicated resources, including private investigators and independent forensic experts, to build a comprehensive defense. Your life and freedom are at stake. This is not a time to save money or hope for the best.

Yes, murder charges create serious consequences for your family beyond your own legal situation.

If you are the primary income earner, your arrest and potential incarceration create financial hardship. Child protective services may become involved if your children were present during the alleged incident or if your co-parent is unavailable. You may lose custody or parental rights, especially if convicted. Visitation with your children becomes difficult when you are incarcerated, and maintaining family relationships requires significant effort. Your family may face stigma in the community, social media harassment, and pressure from others. We understand these collateral consequences and work to minimize damage to your family relationships.

In some cases, we can arrange alternative custody pending trial, supervised visitation, or other arrangements that keep you connected with your children throughout the legal process.

If you witnessed a murder but were not involved, you still need legal advice before speaking with police. Witnesses can quickly become suspects if their statements raise questions, contain inconsistencies, or conflict with other evidence.

Police may pressure you to provide information or implicate others, which can put you at risk legally or physically. You have the right to have an attorney present during any police interview, even as a witness.

An attorney protects you from making statements that could be misinterpreted, ensures your rights are protected, and advises whether you should provide information to law enforcement.

Michigan law allows you to use deadly force in self-defense when you reasonably believe you face imminent death or serious bodily harm.

The key legal elements are: you must have reasonably believed the threat was imminent, you must have been legally permitted to be where the incident occurred, and the amount of force used must have been reasonable under the circumstances.

Michigan follows the “castle doctrine,” meaning you have no duty to retreat from your home before using deadly force. Outside your home, the law is more complex and depends on whether you could have safely retreated. Self-defense cases require immediate investigation to document injuries, threats, prior violence by the alleged victim, and your state of mind during the incident.

We work with forensic experts, interview witnesses, and gather all evidence supporting your reasonable belief that deadly force was necessary. Successfully asserting self-defense means you acted lawfully and should not be convicted of any crime.