Solicitor for Murder Cases

As soon as you learn that you are facing murder allegations, it is important to seek legal advice from a criminal defence lawyer. A solicitor for murder cases can help you navigate complex questions about intent, causation and identity, as well as evidence including witness accounts, CCTV, digital records, forensic evidence and expert medical evidence. Getting the right advice early can help you build a strong defence from the outset

What Can a Murder Solicitor Do to Help?

Facing a serious allegation such as murder can be intimidating and confusing, particularly if you are unsure what is going to happen, what you should do next or how to protect your legal position. A murder solicitor can draw on their knowledge, experience and expertise to help you understand your position and deal with the practical issues that can arise during an investigation, such as:

●     What should I say to the police? A solicitor can advise you before a police interview, explain the allegations being put to you and represent you during questioning.

●     Can I be released on bail? Your solicitor can advise you about your position following arrest and represent you in relation to bail or continued detention where appropriate.

●     What evidence is there against me? Your solicitor can examine the prosecution evidence, including witness accounts, CCTV, digital records and forensic evidence, and identify issues that may need further investigation.

●     How can I support my defence? Your solicitor can help identify information, documents and other evidence that may be relevant to your account of events and should be investigated or preserved.

●     Do I need expert evidence? Some murder cases involve medical, forensic, digital or other technical issues. Where appropriate, your solicitor can arrange for suitable experts to examine these matters.

●     What happens if I am charged? Your solicitor can explain the next stages of the case and begin preparing your defence for proceedings in the Crown Court.

Early legal advice can help ensure that important evidence is identified and preserved while the investigation is still developing. In a case as serious as murder, having a solicitor involved from the outset can help you understand what is happening, make informed decisions and ensure that potential lines of defence are properly investigated.

Murder vs Manslaughter

Whether you are charged with murder or manslaughter can be an important factor in your case because the offences have different legal requirements and can raise different issues for the defence.

For a murder conviction, the prosecution must prove that you unlawfully killed the deceased and intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. In some circumstances, a partial defence can reduce murder to manslaughter. For example, loss of control and diminished responsibility can apply where their specific legal requirements are met.

A murder solicitor can examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing, your account of what happened and the available evidence to determine whether any of these issues may be relevant.

Self-Defence

Proof of self-defence can provide a complete defence to murder or manslaughter where the legal requirements are satisfied. Under English law, the question of whether the force used was reasonable is assessed by reference to the circumstances as you honestly believed them to be. The law recognises that someone acting in a stressful or dangerous situation may not be able to judge precisely how much force is necessary at the time.

However, the force used must still be reasonable in the circumstances as you believed them to be. In ordinary cases, force that is disproportionate will not be regarded as reasonable. Whether self-defence applies can therefore depend heavily on the evidence about what happened, what you believed was happening and why you used force.

Speak to a Murder Solicitor Now

If you are facing a murder allegation, seeking legal advice as early as possible can make a significant difference in the investigation. Remember that you also have the right to free legal advice if you are arrested and questioned at a police station, and you can choose your own solicitor to advise and represent you.

At APL Law, our criminal defence team has nearly 30 years of experience dealing with serious and complex criminal cases. We provide advice from the early stages of an investigation and can draw on established relationships with senior barristers, King's Counsel and forensic experts, including specialists in areas such as pathology and telecommunications. We also provide representation through the Crown Court if your case reaches trial.

If you or someone close to you is facing a murder investigation or charge, contact APL Law today for confidential advice about your case.