Homicide Solicitors in London
Accused of murder or manslaughter? Facing serious homicide charges? McArthur Solicitors are here to assist. Our expert legal team offers reliable advice and representation to protect your rights. Call us today on 020 4587 4583 for immediate assistance.
Are You Under Investigation or Facing Charges for Homicide?
Are you under investigation for a homicide charge? It’s important that you seek immediate legal advice in order to protect your rights. You should also refrain from making any statements to the police without having expert legal representation from a homicide solicitor.
By speaking to an experienced murder defence lawyer at the earliest stage, we can help to assess the situation and the homicide charges that you’re facing. We know that it will be an extremely worrying time, and our team will help to plan the next steps and give you reassurance.
If you are facing manslaughter charges, the consequences can be significant. Contact McArthur Solicitors immediately on 020 4587 4583 for further legal advice on homicide to ensure your case is handled with compassion and sensitivity.
What Should You Do If You Are Accused Murder?
If you have been accused of murder, manslaughter or corporate homicide, you should not speak to the police without consulting an experienced murder defence lawyer for murder first.
At McArthur Solicitors we offer clients a confidential consultation where we can discuss the case, understand your legal options, and ensure your rights are safeguarded. Contact us today on 020 4587 4583 and we’ll ensure that you fully understand your options and the legal process.
Types of Homicide Offences in the UK
There are a several murder and manslaughter charges that may be brought against you in the UK:
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing of another person with a deliberate intention to kill or cause serious harm. It is an extremely serious offence, with a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The court will also set a minimum term that the defendant must serve before they are considered for parole.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is causing the death of another person without the intention to kill or cause serious harm, which means that it has a less severe sentence than murder. Penalties range from a few years in prison to life imprisonment. There are two main categories:
Voluntary manslaughter
Voluntary manslaughter is when a person kills someone but with diminished responsibility. This means that at the time of the killing, the accused had an abnormal mental function or was suffering from a recognised medical condition, which substantially impaired their ability to control their behaviour.
Involuntary manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter is when a person kills someone but they did not intend to do so. It is divided into two subcategories: constructive manslaughter (for example causing a fatal accident due to dangerous driving) and gross negligence manslaughter (for example if a doctor fails to diagnose a serious medical condition which leads to the patient’s death).
Corporate manslaughter
Corporate manslaughter occurs when a company is responsible for causing a person’s death through gross negligence or disregard for safety. It focuses on the company’s failures as an entity. Penalties include unlimited fines or taking steps to improve safety.
As each homicide offence carries distinct legal implications, consulting with an expert murder solicitor can help to clarify the charges and provide insight into the legal process that you might face.
How Can Our Homicide Solicitors Help?
If you need a manslaughter solicitor to advise on the homicide charges that you’re facing, McArthur Solicitors are here to help. Our expert team will work with you to assess the strength of the case, gather evidence, and develop a comprehensive defence strategy. This will help us to achieve the best outcome for you.
During every step of the way, our team will carefully guide you through the legal proceedings, ensuring that you are fully informed at every stage.
Don’t delay in contacting our homicide and manslaughter solicitors today – call 020 4587 4583 for immediate assistance.
Speak to Our Murder Solicitors Today
If you’ve been accused of murder charges or suspect that you may be in the future, remember that it’s very important to seek legal advice on homicide immediately by contacting our firm. At McArthur Solicitors we understand that facing homicide charges is a stressful time, and we are here to ensure that you get the best outcome.
After contacting our expert murder solicitor team to discuss your case, you will be invited for a confidential consultation. During this meeting your solicitor will review the circumstances of your case, discuss potential defences, and explain the best legal options available to you.
Remember that we are here to support you and will use our years of expertise in UK homicide laws to create a strong legal defence. Call us today on 020 4587 4583 for immediate assistance.
Meet the faces behind McArthur Solicitors.
Our team of lawyers brings decades of expertise across multiple legal disciplines, ensuring tailored solutions for every client.
Managing Director and Solicitor-Advocate
Solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitor
Barrister
Barrister
Consultant Barrister
Barrister
Paralegal
Crown Court Litigator
Private Investigator
Practice Manager
Stay Updated with the Latest Legal Insights.
Expert advice and tips on navigating legal challenges.
FAQs About Homicide Offences
The key differences between murder and manslaughter are intent, responsibility, and the severity of the crime. In murder cases, there must be an intent to kill, whereas manslaughter lacks the intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.
Potential defences to a homicide charge depend on the specific offence, the case facts and the defence’s legal arguments.
They can include self-defence, loss of control, diminished responsibility, insanity, duress, alibi, accident or mistaken identity, with evidence required to support each defence.
The penalties for a homicide conviction are as follows:
- Murder: Mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
- Manslaughter: Sentences range from a few years in prison to life imprisonment.
- Corporate manslaughter: Unlimited fines or taking steps to improve safety.
Under certain circumstances, a homicide charge can be reduced from murder to manslaughter as a result of specific legal defences. These include loss of control, diminished responsibility, excessive self-defence, unintentional killing or provocation. The expert murder solicitors at McArthur Solicitors will be able to advise on if your charges can be reduced.
In order to charge someone with homicide, the police need to gather a combination of direct and circumstantial evidence. This could include forensic evidence (DNA, fingerprints, weapons), witness testimony, the post-mortem report, and other investigative findings such as motive and prior threats.
In criminal cases the police must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the murder or manslaughter.
In a homicide case self-defence can play a crucial role, as it can potentially justify or diminish the actions of the defendant. If it can be demonstrated that they were acting in self-defence, the murder or manslaughter charge may be reduced or dismissed, depending on the circumstances.
Depending on the case, homicide investigations typically take several months or longer to complete.
You must give your notice to appeal to the Court of Appeal Criminal Division within 28 days of your conviction (unless valid reasons for delay can be shown). Next, you must seek permission from the Court of Appeal to challenge your conviction, which will be assessed by a judge.
If permission to appeal is granted, your legal team will prepare the case. Three judges in the Court of Appeal will then hear your case, and determine whether the conviction should be quashed, upheld or retried, or your sentence be reduced.
The cost to represent you for a homicide charge depends on the complexity of your case. Your solicitor will be able to discuss this with you during your consultation.
