Virginia Beach Homicide Defense Attorney

Skilled Homicide Defense Lawyer in Virginia Beach

A homicide charge can have lifelong consequences, which is why it is important to take them seriously from the start. If you have been accused of killing a person, intentionally or not, you need legal representation. To protect your rights, reach out to a Virginia Beach homicide defense lawyer today.

At Castellano Law Firm PLLC, we can provide you with one-on-one assistance in a homicide defense case. Attorney Vincent Castellano has trained under some of Virginia's finest criminal defense lawyers, and his experience as a public defender has given him deep insights into the court system. You can rely on our firm to fight for you in court, going over all of your options to protect your future when faced with homicide charges.

Involuntary vs. Voluntary Manslaughter

Manslaughter charges in Virginia fall into two categories, and the distinction between them comes down to intent. Voluntary manslaughter applies when a person kills another in the heat of passion, meaning the act was not premeditated but occurred in response to provocation serious enough that a reasonable person might have lost self-control. The law recognizes that the act was intentional but treats it differently from a planned killing because of the circumstances surrounding it.

Involuntary manslaughter applies when a person causes another person's death without any intent to kill, either through criminally negligent conduct or through an unlawful act that was not intended to cause death. A driver who causes a fatal accident while driving recklessly or a person who handles a firearm carelessly and kills someone nearby can both face involuntary manslaughter charges.

Both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter are charged as Class 5 felonies carrying one to 10 years in prison. Aggravated involuntary manslaughter, which involves a more culpable degree of recklessness, carries a higher sentencing range than standard involuntary manslaughter.

Representing Clients Charged With Murder

Murder charges in Virginia are divided into first-degree and second-degree, with capital murder representing the most serious category. Second-degree murder applies to intentional killings that lack the premeditation and deliberation required for a first degree charge. A second-degree murder conviction carries a sentence of five to 40 years in prison.

First-degree murder, which involves a willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing, carries a sentence of 20 years to life. Aggravated murder is reserved for killings that involve specific aggravating circumstances, such as the murder of a law enforcement officer, a killing carried out for hire, or a murder committed during certain other felonies. As a Class 1 felony, an aggravated murder charge is punishable by life imprisonment, with strict conditions restricting parole or early release.

How Should You Respond to a Homicide Charge in Virginia?

If you are under investigation or have been charged with any form of homicide, the decisions made in the first hours and days are incredibly important. Law enforcement may attempt to question you quickly, and anything said during those conversations can be used as evidence.

You have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present before and during any questioning. Exercising those rights is not an admission of guilt. It is one of the most critical steps a person can take after an arrest or when they learn they are under investigation.

Evidence in homicide cases can include forensic analysis, witness testimony, surveillance footage, phone records, and digital communications. The prosecution will work to build its case early, and the defense should do the same.

Contact a Virginia Beach Homicide Defense Lawyer Today

A homicide charge is one of the most serious situations a person can face. At Castellano Law Firm PLLC, our attorney is prepared to listen, review the facts, and stand by your side through every stage of the process. Call 757-724-0073 or contact our Virginia Beach, VA homicide defense lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.