Buffalo Grove, IL Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

Seasoned Attorney Defending Against Charges of Manslaughter in Lake County

If you have been charged with manslaughter, you need an aggressive advocate in your corner. At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we understand that your attorney needs experience and knowledge of Illinois manslaughter laws, and we provide both of those and more.

Our Buffalo Grove, IL manslaughter defense attorney will thoroughly assess your charges, explain your rights under the law, advise you of your best options, and completely answer all the questions and concerns you may have. Attorney Gebhardt also offers unwavering dedication and the zealous defense you deserve in this fight for your freedom and your future.

Understanding Involuntary Manslaughter and Second-Degree Murder Charges

If you have been arrested on charges of manslaughter, you are likely very worried about the charges and how they will affect your future—and with good reason. You may have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, which is the accidental killing of another person, or voluntary manslaughter (which is also known as second-degree murder) which occurs when you take a life, but had no prior intent to kill.

Homicides committed in the heat of passion fall under second-degree murder. In the state of Illinois, both second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter cases are vigorously prosecuted as violent crimes, and a conviction for either offense carries severe penalties which can include many years of incarceration.

Defenses to Manslaughter in Illinois

There are a number of defenses your attorney may employ on your behalf, depending on the circumstances of your case. You may be able to claim self-defense if you can show you used reasonable means to protect yourself or another person from serious harm or death.

If the death of another occurred absent any negligence or recklessness on your part, your attorney may be able to claim accidental death. After sifting through all the evidence the prosecutor has compiled against you, your attorney may be able to show there is insufficient evidence to charge you with involuntary manslaughter. Finally, your attorney may be able to show you were wrongly accused and had an alibi for the time the death occurred.

The potential defenses to second-degree murder could be actual innocence or self-defense, just as in charges of involuntary manslaughter. If your attorney can show the homicide was the result of an accident, the charge could be reduced to involuntary manslaughter. Second-degree murder must have an element of intent, or the crime cannot be proven. Intoxication is not generally a defense to manslaughter charges unless you were drugged without your knowledge.

Illinois Penalties for a Manslaughter Conviction

An Illinois conviction for involuntary manslaughter can result in two to five years in prison. However, there are circumstances in which those penalties can be increased. If the victim is a law enforcement officer killed during the performance of his or her duties, the sentence can increase to three to seven years.

If the victim of the involuntary manslaughter is a family or household member, the penalties are also increased, with a potential sentence of three to 14 years. The penalties for voluntary manslaughter are much more severe and can bring a sentence of four to 20 years in prison.

Meet With a Lake County, Illinois Manslaughter Defense Attorney

Because a person died, police officers will be looking for anything, no matter how small, to prove your guilt. However, their assessment of the homicide is very subjective. Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt will file motions to exclude evidence when possible, with a goal of providing you the most positive outcome possible.

While our Lake County manslaughter defense attorney has compassion for the victim's family, he understands that in some cases an accident is just that—an accident—and should not result in your future being destroyed as well. Contact our Buffalo Grove, IL manslaughter defense lawyer or call 847-239-4703 to set up a free consultation.