Knoxville Homicide Lawyer

There is no crime more serious than homicide. The government will aggressively pursue a case against you if you take the life of another human being. The right criminal defense lawyer should have experience trying felony murder cases and substantial trial experience. To learn how we can help you, schedule a consultation with a Knoxville homicide lawyer.

How Are Homicide Charges Classified In Tennessee?

Homicide is the unlawful killing of another human being; it is the most serious crime in our criminal justice system. Depending on the exact charges against you, you may face life in prison without parole. You must seek competent legal representation as soon as you are arrested for a homicide crime.

Our attorneys assist Knoxville clients with the following types of criminal homicide cases:

• First-degree Murder
• Second-degree Murder
• Voluntary Manslaughter
• Vehicular Homicide & Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
• Criminally Negligent Homicide
• Reckless Homicide

Some Common Homicide Defenses Include

Common defenses for homicide include:

• Justifiable Homicide
• Self-Defense
• Defense of a Third Person
• Defense of Property
• Inability to Intentionally Kill Someone
  1. Intoxication
  2. Duress
  3. Ignorance or Mistake of Fact
  4. Entrapment

There are commonly three amendments that are used in homicide cases on behalf of defendants. If these amendments are violated, then any evidence obtained as a result of the violation may be excluded from evidence – which means the evidence can’t be introduced into court at your trial.

• The Fourth Amendment – this Amendment protects defendants from unreasonable searches and seizures, and it requires probable cause for a warrant.
• The Fifth Amendment – this Amendment requires a presentment or grand jury indictment for a capital crime (with some exceptions), protects defendants from double jeopardy for the same offense, protects defendants from being forced to be a witness against himself/herself, and requires due process of law.
• The Sixth Amendment – this Amendment requires that the defendant has a speedy and public trial, the trial be by an impartial jury, the defendant be told of the nature and cause of the charges, the defendant has the right to confront (normally, through cross-examination) the witnesses against him/her, the defendant “have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses” in his/her favor, and the defendant has the assistance of counsel for his defense.

**Other Amendments may also apply depending on the charges.

In all criminal cases, including homicide charges:

• The defendant is presumed innocent
• The prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt

To learn more about what to expect from your homicide case in Knoxville, reach out to our lawyers.