Cincinnati Homicide Lawyer

At any given time, dozens of people are sitting on death row in Ohio. These individuals all have one thing in common: they have been convicted of taking the life of another human being.

If the state of Ohio is accusing you of killing another person, you need to move quickly to defend yourself. You can start this process by contacting an experienced Cincinnati homicide lawyer at Suhre & Associates, LLC, today (513) 333-0014.

Our Cincinnati criminal defense attorney here at Suhre & Associates, LLC, is dedicated to providing our clients with top-class legal services. When you hire us to help you fight back against your homicide charge, we will:

During the course of your homicide case, you will be forced to make dozens of tough decisions. Your actions, when faced with these tricky situations, are likely to play a significant role in determining the outcome of your case. If you can consistently make the right moves, you might be able to improve your chances of getting your charge dropped or reduced.

When you work with our legal team, you won’t have to make those tough choices on your own. A Suhre & Associates, LLC, attorney will be by your side every step of the way to provide you with the advice and guidance you require.

Gather Exculpatory Evidence

As your homicide case progresses, you can expect the prosecution to put together a mountain of evidence that they believe proves your guilt. Quite often, the best way to fight back against their efforts is to gather an abundance of evidence that shows your innocence.

At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we have been helping Cincinnatians with their criminal cases for years. As such, we know where to look to find exculpatory evidence. When you hire us, we will work tirelessly to try to locate the proof you need to show that you are innocent.

Negotiate with the Prosecutor on Your Behalf

Shortly after your homicide case begins, the state prosecutor may offer you a plea bargain deal. Unfortunately, the terms of their initial deal are likely to be quite harsh. To make them a little fairer, some negotiation will almost certainly be required.

When you work with a Suhre & Associates, LLC, criminal defense lawyer, we will be happy to negotiate that deal on your behalf. We have been working with Ohio prosecutors for years, so we understand what it takes to convince them to agree to more lenient sentences.

Are you ready to hire our law firm to defend you against your homicide charge? Then please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us online. We would love to meet with you at our Cincinnati law offices to discuss your case in greater detail.

Understanding Ohio’s Homicide Laws

The term “homicide” can be broadly defined as the unlawful killing of one person by another. The state of Ohio has several laws on its books that relate to crimes of this nature, such as:

Aggravated Murder

Section 2903.01 of the Ohio Revised Code states that no person shall purposely, and with prior purpose and design, take the life of another human being or an unborn child.

It further explains that it is unlawful to kill another human being or unborn child while committing one of the following crimes:

  • Kidnapping
  • Rape
  • Aggravated arson
  • Arson
  • Aggravated Robbery
  • Robbery
  • Aggravated Burglary
  • Burglary
  • Criminal trespass
  • Terrorism

Finally, this statute states that no person may purposefully take the life of a:

  • Child under the age of 13
  • Member of the U.S. military
  • On-duty police officer
  • On-duty firefighter or paramedic

Individuals who violate this law may be arrested and charged with aggravated murder. The state of Ohio classifies this offense as a felony of the first degree.

Murder

Section 2903.02 of the Ohio Revised Code states that it is unlawful to kill another human being or an unborn child. To convict someone of this offense, the state does not need to prove that they acted with “with prior purpose and design.”

This statute further explains that it is illegal to take the life of another person while committing or attempting to commit a violent offense that is classified as a felony of the first or second degree.

Those who break this law may be arrested for murder. In Ohio, such an offense is typically punishable as a felony of the first degree.

Voluntary Manslaughter

Section 2903.03 of the Ohio Revised Code explains that no person, while under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage shall knowingly take the life of another individual or an unborn child. Those who violate this law can be charged with voluntary manslaughter.

Deaths stemming from instances of domestic violence or arguments among friends are commonly prosecuted under this statute – which the state of Ohio usually classifies as a felony of the first degree.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Section 2903.04 of the Ohio Revised Code makes it illegal to kill another person or an unborn child while committing or attempting to commit a felony or misdemeanor.

Individuals who violate this law may be arrested on an involuntary manslaughter charge. This crime is generally punishable as a felony of the third degree.

Negligent Homicide

Section 2903.05 of the Ohio Revised Code states that no person shall negligently kill another individual or an unborn child by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance. Offenders who break this law can be charged with negligent homicide. Such an offense is typically classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree in the state of Ohio. The criminal defense attorneys here at Suhre & Associates, LLC, have been helping Cincinnati residents with their homicide-related legal issues for years. As such, we are experts in all areas of Ohio criminal law. If you would like to have us help you fight back against your criminal charge, just give us a call and set up a free consultation with a member of our experienced team.

Consequences of Homicide Convictions in the State of Ohio

The state of Ohio takes homicide offenses extremely seriously. As such, it severely penalizes those who are found guilty of committing such a crime. Generally speaking, convicted killers in the Buckeye State are punished as follows:

  • Aggravated Murder: Death, life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $20,000
  • Murder: 15 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000
  • Voluntary Manslaughter: 3 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $20,000
  • Involuntary Manslaughter: 1 to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000
  • Negligent Homicide: Up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000

Individuals who are convicted of killing another human being in the state of Ohio also receive a permanent criminal record. Once they are released from prison, these offenders often face a host of collateral consequences, such as:

  • Difficulty Finding Housing: Most landlords are hesitant to rent their homes and apartments to convicted felons.
  • Difficulty Landing a Job: Many companies have strict policies that forbid the hiring of individuals with criminal records.
  • Loss of Gun Ownership Rights: State and federal law prohibit felons from buying, owning, or using a firearm.
  • Difficulty Obtaining Student Loans: Convicted felons are disqualified from obtaining federal student loans.
  • Immigration Issues: The federal government typically deports non-citizens who have been convicted of violent crimes as soon as they are released from prison.

Do you need a defense lawyer in Cincinnati to help you with your fight to avoid the penalties outlined above? If so, please do not hesitate to contact the team here at Suhre & Associates, LLC. Our legal team is ready, willing, and able to defend you against your homicide charge.

Defenses Against Ohio Homicide Charges

Individuals who are charged with crimes like murder and voluntary manslaughter often believe that it is just a matter of time before they are convicted and sent to prison. However, this is not necessarily the case. With the help of an effective defense strategy, these people can sometimes get their charge reduced or even have their case dismissed.

A small sampling of some of the most effective defenses against homicide charges in the state of Ohio would include:

Self-Defense

Ohioans have the right to defend themselves when attacked. If an attorney can show that their client acted in self-defense, they may be able to get their case dismissed.

Mistaken Identity

Unfortunately, it is not unusual for the police to accidentally arrest the wrong person. If a defense lawyer can prove that their client is the victim of mistaken identity, they should have no issues getting their charge dropped.

Lack of Evidence

To convict someone of a homicide offense, the state must provide plenty of evidence to prove the suspect’s guilt. If an attorney can successfully argue that the prosecution does not have the evidence they need to prove their case, they may be able to get the case dismissed.

Would you like to have a Suhre & Associates, LLC, attorney review your case and recommend an effective defense strategy? Then please reach out to us as soon as possible. We would be more than happy to meet with you to learn more about your case.

Your Trusted Cincinnati Homicide Lawyer

The homicide lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC, have been serving Cincinnati and the surrounding areas for decades. We are proud to be a part of this community and are always ready to defend our neighbors against any accusations levied by the state. To learn more about our legal services, just give us a call and arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys at law.