Ruston, LA Homicide Defense Lawyer

Being arrested and charged with homicide is one of the most serious legal situations an individual can find themselves in. The consequences for a homicide conviction can be severe and could result in the death penalty in certain cases. Whether you have been charged with vehicular manslaughter after a DUI near Louisiana Tech, or are being charged with murder in Tanglewood, it is essential that you speak with a Ruston, LA, homicide defense lawyer immediately. 

Trust Your Homicide Defense to John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC

For over 32 years, the team at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, has been serving the men, women, and juveniles who find themselves accused of serious crimes along North Louisiana’s I-20 corridor. We don’t shy away from the tough cases and instead, step up to the mark and demonstrate exactly why thousands of individuals have chosen us to represent them over the last several decades.

Depending on the details of your homicide case, it will likely be handled either through the Lincoln Parish Courthouse on West Texas Avenue in Ruston or through the federal courthouse on Third Street in Alexandria. The attorneys at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, have experience working with the judges and prosecutors located at both of these courthouses and are well-respected. Let us put our experience to use in your homicide case today.

Understanding Homicide Charges in Ruston, LA

Across the United States, many folks interchange the words “homicide” and “murder” when, really, there is a distinct difference between the two. Homicide is a legal term used when one individual kills another individual, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident. Murder, on the other hand, is a specific kind of homicide charge. There are five different homicide charges an individual can face in Ruston, including:

1. First-degree murder. Ruston sees a murder rate of 13.5 cases for every 100,000 members of the population. With only around 48,160 individuals calling the Ruston Metropolitan Statistical Area home, however, Ruston’s actual murder rate is closer to around 6 incidents per year. First-degree murder charges can arise when specific circumstances are present in the case, such as:
   • Someone works to intentionally kill another individual during a violent criminal act, such as during a kidnapping or burglary.
   • Someone kills more than one person in an intentional manner.
   • Someone intentionally kills another individual who is either elderly or under a certain age.
   • An individual is paid to kill another person.
   • Someone intentionally kills a law enforcement officer who is working in their official duties at the time of the alleged killing.
2. Second-degree murder. This charge occurs when an individual is accused of killing another person in an intentional manner and can also apply in cases where someone kills another without intent, but the death occurs during another crime, such as a case of arson, robbery, or rape. 
3. Manslaughter. This is a legal term used to describe a homicide charge that would usually be convicted as murder, but there were certain circumstances present. Either the accused party acted in a passion that was caused by immediate provocation, or in a manner that was not intended to cause bodily harm or death. This charge can also arise during the process of another crime being committed, but the defendant had no intent of killing.
4. Negligent homicide. This charge reflects an act of homicide that occurs without any kind of intent on the part of the accused. There are two main situations where this can happen. One, the individual kills another by acting in a criminally negligent manner, such as by neglect. Or two, in cases where an animal, such as a dog, kills an individual, and the owner is believed to be negligent regarding the confinement of that dog. 
5. Vehicular homicide. This homicide charge happens when an individual is arrested for operating a vehicle in an impaired manner, and that impairment results in the death of another person. One example can be an individual who is operating their car while under the influence of alcohol and hits another driver, killing them or a passenger. Thirty-two people are killed every day in drunk driving accidents across the United States.

If you or someone you love has been accused of any form of homicide in Ruston, you need to reach out to John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, as soon as possible. There are several avenues we may be able to take in your defense, depending on the unique aspects of your case. Common defenses include acting in self-defense or in defense of others, mental incapacity or insanity, lack of actual intent on the defendant’s part, or lack of sufficient evidence.

What to Do After Being Accused of Homicide in Louisiana

If you have been accused of homicide in Louisiana, it is important that you take certain actions to protect yourself as soon as you are able. The police will begin building their case against you right away and will use certain information against you if you are not careful. It is essential, therefore, that you take the following steps after being accused of homicide:

• Stay silent, as anything you say will be used against you in the future.
• Hire an attorney.
• Keep your case private and avoid speaking to anyone about the case or posting about the case on your social media platforms.
• Work to preserve evidence, such as documents or messages that can help establish an alibi.
• Listen to and trust the counsel of your defense attorney.

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Hire a Homicide Defense Lawyer Serving Ruston Today

If you or someone you love has been charged with homicide in Ruston, you need criminal defense representation on your side that you can rely on. When you hire a homicide defense lawyer from John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, we are here to build you a defense strategy that can hold up in the courtroom. In cases where you might be facing possible life imprisonment or even the death penalty, you need an experienced defense attorney. 

Contact our offices today. We are here to listen to your side of the story and do whatever is in our power to act as your first line of legal defense.