Richmond Homicide Lawyer Protects Your Rights Across Virginia
If you’ve been charged with homicide, you’re facing severe charges and penalties that can change your life forever.
Charges of homicide rank among the most severe of criminal accusations. Failing to obtain appropriate legal counsel can result in significant repercussions for you. Don’t accept just any attorney. Instead, seek the counsel of a Richmond homicide lawyer who has what it takes to defend you in court.
Individuals accused of homicide may believe their life is over. But this is a mistake. While accusations of homicide may lead you to believe your future is bleak, don’t accept them at face value. An effective Richmond murder lawyer can assist you in building a defensive strategy for your case.
Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law, is a compassionate violent offense charge lawyer devoted to defending his clients, who are often accused of violent crimes, including murder. He believes in treating all humans with dignity, no matter what crime they have been charged with.
When working with his clients, Cody dedicates his time to understanding the facts of the case and the circumstances in which they arose. When you choose Cody as your homicide lawyer, you’re deciding to fight the charges against you as effectively and efficiently as possible. To obtain a free consultation concerning your case, contact Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law, at 804.316.0765.
Working with a Richmond Based Attorney for Homicide Cases
How a Richmond Murder Lawyer Can Help You
Accusations of murder are serious. Cody Villalon knows this and is aware of the impact a conviction can bring to the person accused. He believes in reviewing the facts and circumstances of a case objectively and being supportive and compassionate to people facing the most challenging battle of their lives.
Cody doesn’t take accusations of homicide lightly. He does everything in his power to protect you from the consequences of a murder conviction.
As your homicide lawyer, Cody will take the necessary steps to protect you from the potential for a life sentence or a long prison sentence. His experience as both a murder lawyer and a Richmond burglary defense lawyer has given him the broad knowledge needed to safeguard the rights of his clients and ensure the best defense is provided to them.
Steps that this Richmond criminal defense attorney takes include:
- Listening to the circumstances of your case as you see them
- Examining the evidence of the crime, including the police report, witness statements, laboratory reports, and other documentation
- Reviewing potential mistakes made by law enforcement agents and police officers that could affect the outcome of your case
- Identifying any circumstances that could help defend you from the charges
- Preparing you for court appearances or testimony to ensure your side of the story is effectively presented
- Negotiating potential plea bargains with prosecutors
- Following the appropriate legal procedures for defending you at trial.
If you’ve been charged with homicide, don’t leave your life up to chance. You need a skilled criminal lawyer who can defend you in court.
Richmond Homicide Lawyers Know the Law: Penalties and Charges for Murder in Virginia
Virginia has five classifications for homicide. All are considered felonies, but the penalties vary depending on the severity of the charges.
Aggravated Murder
Aggravated murder involves the willful and intentional, deliberate killing of someone else. Fifteen different circumstances may result in an aggravated murder charge. It is the most serious of homicide accusations. If convicted of aggravated murder, the accused may be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Murder in the First Degree
An individual may be accused of murder in the first degree if the individual kills someone in a way that isn’t covered by aggravated murder charges. First degree murder requires premeditation or deliberation.
Murder in the first degree is considered to be a Class 2 felony. Repercussions for a conviction include 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Murder in the Second Degree
A murder that does not meet the complete elements of aggravated murder or murder in the first degree may be classified as murder in the second degree. Murder in the second degree is punishable by five to 40 years in a state correctional facility. It is considered to be a Class 2 felony.
Felony Murder
The killing of one accidentally, contrary to the intention of the parties, while in the prosecution of some felonious act other than those specified in §§ 18.2-31 and 18.2-32, is murder of the second degree It’s crucial to consult a Richmond felony lawyer for a detailed understanding of this law. Such an offense is punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than five years nor more than forty years.
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary manslaughter is defined as “an intentional, non-malicious homicide that occurred in sudden mutual combat or as a result of the heat of passion induced by reasonable provocation.” It has its roots in the Common Law. If convicted of voluntary manslaughter, an individual may be subject to a Class 5 felony and face up to ten years in prison.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter involves the killing of another person accidentally. As a common-law offense, it is not defined in the Virginia code. When someone unintentionally kills someone else while driving under the influence, it may result in an involuntary manslaughter charge. If faced with such a situation, consulting a Richmond manslaughter charge lawyer can provide clarity on the legal implications.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, a person will be convicted of a Class 5 felony and face one to ten years in prison. Aggravated involuntary Manslaughter can result in sentences as long as 20 years.
If you’ve been charged with homicide, don’t delay in seeking proven legal representation. Contact Richmond murder lawyer Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law, at 804.316.0765.
Potential Defenses for a Homicide Charge
There are several defenses that a Richmond murder lawyer can use to defend you against charges of homicide. A few include:
Self-Defense
In some instances, a homicide may occur during extreme events where the accused tried to protect themselves from harm.
Your skilled criminal lawyer must show that the force you used that led to another individual’s death was reasonable under the circumstances.
Insanity
Insanity is commonly used in cases where the accused was mentally incompetent at the time of the killing. Although a successful defense won’t result in the immediate release of a defendant on these grounds it will divert the case to an indeterminate commitment in a hospital.
Mistaken Identity
Occasionally, an individual is arrested for a murder they didn’t commit through a case of mistaken identity. If you know you haven’t killed anyone and can prove it, mistaken identity is the appropriate defense. Your homicide lawyer will attempt to prove your innocence by using witnesses who establish your alibi at the time of the killing or other ways to show you are not in fact the killer.
Accidental Killing
Accidental killing can be used as a defense to drop more serious charges against you. In an unintentional killing defense, your murder lawyer will present facts and evidence that you didn’t mean to harm or kill anyone. The court will carefully weigh the evidence of the death to determine whether it could be considered accidental and not malicious.
Defense of Others
The circumstances around death can vary greatly. In some cases, death may occur when an individual is trying to protect someone else from harm. To prove the defense of others, your murder lawyer must establish the facts surrounding the situation, and the court will need to determine that you used reasonable force.
Technicalities
In some cases, errors committed by law enforcement agents, false evidence, or faulty test results can lead to a dismissal of charges against you. A murder lawyer can examine the facts of the case and evidence presented to determine whether errors could reduce the charges against you. No one is perfect, and mistakes can affect your case’s outcome.
Client Testimonial
”I hired Cody to represent me in two cases I had recently. I’m very pleased with the outcome of the cases. Which both ended up being dismissed. He communicated with me very well throughout the entire process. He answered all of my questions and returned all of my calls. If you have any legal issues I’d recommend hiring him. – Maurice White (Google Review)
Frequently Asked Questions in a Homicide Case
Richmond murder lawyer Cody Villalon understands the questions you may have if you are facing charges of homicide. Here are some of the most common questions individuals have when looking for legal representation in a murder case.
If you are convicted of murder, you will likely spend time in prison. Even an involuntary manslaughter conviction often carries a prison sentence. Being charged with murder is extremely serious and can potentially result in life in prison. You will need the assistance of a qualified homicide lawyer who can establish an appropriate defense strategy for your case.
Cody Villalon does not charge for initial consultations in murder cases. The cost of your representation will vary according to the complexity of your case and the severity of your charges.
The time spent on your case significantly affects your legal expenses. However, not hiring a lawyer in a homicide case will likely be one of the worst decisions you will ever make. The repercussions of a homicide conviction are severe and not something you want to leave to chance.
If you are under suspicion of the death of another person, immediately seek legal counsel. Your homicide lawyer can examine the facts of your case and determine the steps you need to take to protect yourself. Once you’ve been charged with murder, you’ll need someone familiar with the legal system and criminal law to look after your rights.
The length of time it will take to close your case varies. Complex cases may take months or years to conclude. A busy court schedule can also lengthen the time your case is open. Your best option is to seek legal counsel right away if you have been accused or are under suspicion of homicide.
Get the Legal Representation You Need from Cody Villalon
Accusations and charges of murder are serious matters that shouldn’t be left to chance. Seek a reliable case representation you need from a Richmond homicide lawyer experienced in criminal law.
Cody Villalon has over ten years of experience representing individuals accused of violent crimes, including homicide. He can help you establish an effective defense strategy that protects your rights in court. Contact Cody Villalon, Attorney at Law, at 804.316.0765 to schedule your free consultation today.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY CODY VILLALON
Cody Villalon is a criminal defense attorney in Richmond, VA representing clients accused of violent offenses and DUIs, and he specializes in serious criminal charges. He possesses more than 10 years of legal experience, has defended more than 1,000 cases, and has spent more than 5,000 hours in court. He is highly professional and well-respected by prosecutors and judges. [ Attorney Bio ]
