Boston Manslaughter Defense Attorney
No matter where an alleged crime happened in Massachusetts, violent crime charges are taken seriously in Massachusetts. There is little to no leeway given to alleged criminals and if you are criminally charged, you will not be given the luxury of being treated innocent until proven otherwise. In fact, most will have the predisposition to treat you as if you have already been found guilty – you will find that you are fighting an uphill battle.
Vigorous Manslaughter Defense Lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts
When you are dealing with criminal charges of this magnitude, you simply cannot be satisfied with subpar legal assistance. You need to have a heavyweight on your side that can take on the difficult charges and seek an optimum outcome even when the circumstances are daunting.
At the Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group, you can trust that this is exactly what you will receive. Our attorneys have shown over the years that we know how to handle complicated cases with meticulous and detail-oriented care.
As former prosecutors, our attorneys know the importance of paying attention to the minor nuances and know that an entire case can be lost by even an inch of neglect or laziness. We therefore never rush through a case, but rather take our time, doing everything possible to help our clients on their way to the best possible outcome.
Manslaughter in Massachusetts: Understanding the Charges
Statutory law in Massachusetts does not explicitly define what involves manslaughter; however, the definition can be found in Massachusetts common law which defined by the previous actions and rulings of the court. Essentially, manslaughter is broken down into two separate charges, that of voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.
Involuntary manslaughter is committed through unintentional actions – either through battery or an act that can be considered thoughtlessly reckless. These wanton actions would involve conduct that should have alerted the defendant to the dangers that they were placing others at; typically, it involves negligence.
Voluntary manslaughter, however, is a completely different charge. For cases involving voluntary manslaughter, the defendant committed homicide through intentional and deliberate actions; it, however, differs from murder in that there was no premeditated thought. Usually, manslaughter occurs in the "heat of the moment" when a person is reasonably provoked, or when a defendant is acting in self-defense but uses force that is considered excessive.
What are the Penalties for Voluntary or Involuntary Manslaughter in Massachusetts?
The penalties are serious and should not be treated as anything less. For someone who is criminally charged, they are at risk of life-altering consequences that could leave them saddled with the ramifications for the rest of their life. Under Section 13 in Chapter 265 of Massachusetts law, these penalties can include:
- Imprisonment in state prison for up to twenty years; or
- A fine of up to $1,000 and up to two and a half years in a house of correction or jail
Extenuating circumstances can also come into play as should they be severe enough, the penalties can be elevated to imprisonment in state prison for life. For this reason, should you or a loved one be facing criminal charges, no time should be wasted in receiving legal representation from a hard-hitting and creative criminal defense attorney that you can trust to go the distance in their efforts to defend your legal rights.
Facing Manslaughter Criminal Charges? Call Us for a Free Consultation
We defend clients against both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter charges. Each of us also represents clients at probation violation hearings and Clerk Magistrate hearings.
When clients wish to erase their criminal record, we'll also prepare and present motions (or "petitions") to seal their criminal records. Call (800) 461-6900, or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment and free consultation at any of our law offices.
