Little Rock Attorneys Defend Homicide Cases

Rely on an established homicide defense law firm in Arkansas

The James Law Firm is one of Arkansas’s premier homicide defense firms. We defend clients throughout the state against capital and noncapital homicide charges. Our attorneys are committed to defending you aggressively while keeping you and your family informed of every development in your case.

What are the categories of homicide in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Code sets out a range of homicide charges, all of which carry serious penalties. Each homicide crime has different elements that the government must prove to get a conviction:

• Capital murder — Capital murder is premeditated murder, a murder committed during the commission of a violent felony, or a murder committed under certain aggravating circumstances. This crime is punishable by execution or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Arkansas is one of 32 states that have capital punishment, although the state’s death penalty statute has faced repeated constitutional challenges.
• First-degree murder — First-degree murder is killing another person during a nonviolent felony or causing the death of one person while attempting to kill another person. This crime carries a penalty of 10 to 40 years in prison or life imprisonment.
• Second-degree murder — Second-degree murder is unintentionally causing the death of another under circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life. A person convicted of second-degree murder faces six to 30 years in prison.
• Manslaughter — Manslaughter carries a penalty of three to 10 years’ imprisonment and is defined as killing another person in one of three situations:
  • Killing another while under extreme emotional distress
  • Recklessly causing the death of another
  • Negligently causing the death of another while committing a felony
• Negligent homicide. A person can be guilty of negligent homicide if he or she negligently causes the death of another person. A person acts negligently if he or she fails to act in a reasonable manner to protect others from foreseeable risks of harm. Negligent homicide is punishable by up to one year in prison.

What are some homicide defenses?

James Law Firm excels at holding the government accountable to prove each and every element of a charged offense. Some of the defense strategies we employ may include:

• Highlighting the government’s lack of evidence
• Demonstrating the inadequacy of evidence
• Challenging illegal searches and seizures
• Questioning forensic techniques and results
• Submitting alternative theories of how the incident happened

Our experienced Little Rock criminal defense attorneys use these and other legal tools to establish reasonable doubt in support of your acquittal. We work hard to protect your freedom.

Defending Arkansans against homicide charges since 1994

Homicide convictions carry a range of penalties, including the possibility of death. The James Law Firm is certified to handle death penalty cases. Call (501) 375-0900 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. With an office location in Little Rock, we are equipped to assist clients throughout Arkansas. We are available 24/7. We offer legal services in English or Spanish.