Illinois Murder Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer Representing Clients Charged With Homicide or Manslaughter

Murder is one of the most serious crimes a person can be charged with, and the consequences for a murder conviction are incredibly severe. If you have been charged with murder, prosecutors will aggressively pursue a conviction, so you need a legal advocate on your side to protect your rights, ensure the correct legal procedures have been followed, and help you achieve the best possible results in your case.

Different types of murder charges can apply depending on the circumstances of someone's death, and the nature of these charges and the punishments they carry can vary from decades in prison to probation time, as well as large fines. Since these charges will have a huge impact on your life, it is important to fully understand them and their consequences.

First Degree Murder

First-degree murder occurs when someone is killed without justification, and the murderer acted with intent to kill or cause great bodily harm, or when the murder occurred while a felony was being committed. In Illinois, the mandatory minimum sentence for first-degree murder is 20 years, and the maximum is 60 years, although these amounts can be increased if certain aggravating factors are involved, such as a firearm being used to commit the murder or the victim being a police officer. Someone convicted of first-degree murder must serve their entire sentence; there is no time off for good behavior.

Second Degree Murder

Second-degree murder occurs when someone is killed when the murderer is "acting under a sudden and intense passion" that was a result of serious provocation. This charge also applies when a person kills someone in self-defense, but the amount of force used was not reasonably justified. Second-degree murder is a Class 1 Felony in Illinois, with a sentence of four to 15 years in prison, and up to four years of probation are available.

Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter occurs when someone is killed unintentionally and without justification due to someone's reckless actions. If manslaughter occurred while the accused was driving a vehicle, this is known as reckless homicide. Manslaughter and reckless homicide are Class 3 felonies in Illinois, with a sentence of two to five years in prison. Probation is available for up to 30 months. If the case involves aggravating factors, such as the death of a police officer or an accident which took place in a school zone, the penalty may be upgraded to a Class 2 felony, which can result in longer jail times, depending on the situation.

A Record of Success in Criminal Defense

Attorney Stephen M. Komie has over 40 years of experience defending clients against serious criminal charges, including several successful murder defense cases.

In one high-profile case, Mr. Komie represented John Carroccia, a man who was charged with the murder of a police officer in Hampshire, Illinois. By demonstrating a lack of evidence and raising questions about the culpability of the officer's wife in his death, Mr. Komie was able to show that the prosecution's case did not meet the standard of reasonable doubt, and Mr. Carroccia was acquitted of all charges.

If you are facing murder charges, you should contact the offices of Komie and Associates as soon as possible. Our skilled attorneys will investigate your case, examine the evidence, determine whether there was any police misconduct, and advise you of your best options for defense. Contact our Illinois criminal defense attorney today at 312-263-2800 to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Chicago, LaSalle, Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington, throughout Illinois and the U.S.