Capital Murder Criminal Defense Lawyers

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Capital Murder Criminal Defense Attorneys

Capital murder is the most serious of the various homicide charges, typically reserved for particularly heinous or morally shocking crimes.

It generally applies when the government believes that a murder was intentional, planned in advance, and aggravated by some morally egregious circumstance.

People convicted of capital murder are eligible for the death penalty. We will look more closely about federal definitions of capital murder below.

If you are under suspicion of capital murder, you need to hire the best capital criminal defense lawyer you can find immediately.

Your rights matter. So does your freedom. Protect them. Hire us. We will fight for you with passion, unique legal insight, and a powerful command of the law. Contact capital murder defense attorneys at The The Criminal Defense Firm today.

Defining Capital Murder

Each state uses its own categories of murder and manslaughter, and those distinctions create a lot of confusion in the way people talk about murder crimes.

It does not use the term “first-degree murder.” In its place, we have capital murder. It is the strongest possible murder charge, and that means prosecutors have to overcome the highest barriers of proof.

To convict a defendant of capital murder, the prosecution must prove one of the following allegations (called “elements”) beyond a reasonable doubt.

  • Defendant intentionally and knowingly caused the death of the victim,
  • Defendant intended to cause serious bodily harm, and committed an act clearly dangerous to human life, and this act caused the death of the victim, or
  • Defendant attempted or committed a felony and, in doing so, committed an act clearly dangerous to human life, and this act caused the death of the victim. (This is called felony murder, and it can apply even when the defendant did not intend for the victim to die. Note that manslaughter is not a sufficient felony for purposes of a felony murder charge.)

Additionally, for the charge to meet the standard of capital murder, an additional aggravating element must apply. Applicable aggravating elements include:

  • Murder committed in the course of arson, burglary, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, terroristic threat, or obstruction or retaliation (or in the course of attempting one of these offenses)
  • The defendant either paid someone else to commit the murder or was paid to commit the murder
  • Murder committed while defendant was attempting an escape from prison or jail
  • Murder committed while defendant was in prison or jail
  • Defendant murdered more than one person
  • Murder victim was under the age of six
  • Murder victim was a police officer, peace officer, or firefighter acting under lawful duty at the time of the murder
  • The murder is in retaliation for (or on account of) service in the judiciary

Please note that we have simplified the statutory language for the purposes of clarification. You still need to discuss the specifics of your case with an experienced capital murder defense attorney to determine how the precise language in each provision might apply to your case.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Brian J. Kuester
Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Former DA

Amanda Marshall
Amanda Marshall

Former U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Joe Brown
Joe Brown

Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney

Local Counsel

John W. Sellers
John W. Sellers

Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice

Local Counsel

John W. Sellers
Linda Julin McNamara

Former Chief, DOJ Appeals

Local Counsel

Joanne Fine DeLena
Joanne Fine DeLena

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Aaron L. Wiley
Aaron L. Wiley

Former Federal Prosecutor

Local Counsel

Roger Bach
Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (OIG)

Chris Quick
Chris Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Kevin M. Sheridan
Kevin M. Sheridan

Former Special Agent (FBI)

Ray Yuen
Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Dennis A. Wichern
Dennis A. Wichern

Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)

Federal Law and First-Degree Murder

Federal law uses the term first-degree murder instead of “capital murder.” The charge is similar, though not identical, to the capital murder charge.

As in our state, the federal government considers felony murder a first-degree murder offense, and defendants convicted of felony murder are generally eligible for the death penalty.

Note: the federal criminal code sometimes uses different terminology, definitions, or elements when compared to the code. If your case is being charged at the federal level, those distinctions matter.

You need to work with a law firm that is not only licensed but also extensively experienced in federal first-degree murder cases. Federal cases have their own set of rules, and experience with those rules is a must.

The capital murder defense attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm have the experience you need to defend against capital murder in state courts, as well as first-degree murder in federal court.

Talk to Our Capital Murder Defense Attorneys Today

You have a decision to make about which capital murder lawyers will represent you, and it is probably the most important decision you will ever make. The right law firm can make an enormous difference in the outcome of your case, as can the right capital murder attorney.

Our capital murder defense attorneys know how to defend against these charges, and we are prepared to uncover each and every stone in our tireless and exhaustive quest to win this case for you. You can count on us.

Every second counts. Please contact our office as soon as possible. Free consultations are available today. Please contact The Criminal Defense Firm at 866-603-4540 right away.

Last Updated:

Dallas 214-817-2053
Houston 713-454-7814
Detroit 313-634-0925
Baton Rouge 225-269-8749
New York 332-239-7345
Winter Park 407-890-0460
Miami 786-751-3247
Portland 207-222-7742
Nationwide 866-603-4540