Homicide Lawyer in Beaufort, South Carolina

Homicide is one of the most serious criminal charges a person can face. A homicide conviction carries penalties that will affect you for the rest of your life, including life in prison or even the death penalty.

When your freedom and even your life are on the line, the stakes cannot be higher. You need a murder defense lawyer who will leave no stone unturned and do everything she can to help you avoid a conviction.

Bouley Law will carefully investigate the charges against you, fight to protect your rights, and work to obtain a Not Guilty verdict. To learn more, contact Bouley Law today to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation and how a homicide attorney can help.

South Carolina Homicide Charges

Homicide refers generally to the unlawful killing of another person. In South Carolina, homicide crimes are classified according to the defendant’s intent, the specific circumstances of the crime, and the defendant’s level of culpability.

Murder

Murder is the crime of unlawfully killing another person with malice aforethought, which means the killing was intentional, deliberate, and committed with an ill will or a reckless disregard for human life.

The penalties for a murder conviction in South Carolina include

• Death
• Life in prison without parole
• A minimum of 30 years in prison in cases where the prosecutor did not seek the death penalty

Aggravating factors that could lead to a prosecutor seeking the death penalty include:

• Multiple murders
• Murder during the commission of another crime, such as a rape, robbery, or kidnapping
• Murder of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first responder

Voluntary Manslaughter

Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person unlawfully kills another person in the heat of passion after being provoked. Voluntary manslaughter is different from murder in that the crime lacks malice aforethought or premeditation. The sentence for a voluntary manslaughter conviction ranges from 2 to 30 years in prison.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter is the unintentional killing of another person while engaged in reckless behavior. There is no intent to kill, but the person acted in a way that displayed a reckless disregard for human life. Someone convicted of involuntary manslaughter faces up to 5 years in prison.

Reckless Homicide

Reckless homicide occurs when a person drives a vehicle in a way that shows a reckless disregard for the safety of others and results in someone’s death. A conviction for reckless homicide carries a sentence of up to 10 years and a 5 year driver’s license suspension.

Why You Need a Murder Defense Lawyer

Homicide charges are among the most serious criminal charges a person can face. You need a defense lawyer who can critically evaluate your circumstances, provide unbiased legal advice and guidance, and work to obtain the best result possible in your situation.

Bouley Law is committed to providing caring and compassionate legal representation to people charged with murder and other homicide crimes. Jennifer Bouley has earned a reputation for her outstanding investigatory, research, and advocacy skills and will leave no stone unturned as she prepares a vigorous legal defense designed to result in a Not Guilty verdict or lead to a significant reduction in the severity of the penalties or changes you face.

When your freedom and even your life are on the line, you need a staunch and powerful advocate who sees you as a whole person and will work diligently to mount a successful defense.