If you have been charged with felony murder, then you may have a defense. Self-defense, excusable homicide, and justifiable homicide are all defenses that are oftentimes successful in felony murder cases. Attorney Williams has also been successful having cases dismissed during a “stand your ground” hearing. Even if you don’t think you have a defense, you should always speak to an attorney to make sure you have a full understanding of how the law applies specifically to your case. If you want to know more about defenses to murder, or if you want to speak to a lawyer about how to beat your murder case in Florida, contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.
Felony murder is defined under Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a)(2). A person commits felony murder when they kill another human while engaged in the commission of, or attempted commission of, any one of the following enumerated felonies, regardless of whether they intended to kill anybody:
- aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult;
- aggravated child abuse;
- aggravated stalking;
- aircraft piracy;
- arson;
- burglary;
- carjacking;
- distribution of controlled substances;
- escape;
- home invasion robbery;
- kidnapping;
- murder of another human being;
- resisting officer with violence;
- robbery;
- sexual battery;
- terrorism;
- trafficking in controlled substances; or
- unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb.
Felony murder is a first-degree felony, and the maximum sentence that can be imposed is life in prison.
Criminal convictions, especially convictions for murder, carry severe consequences and can never be removed from your criminal record. More importantly, if you are convicted of first-degree murder in Florida you will never leave custody as a free person again. Even if you are convicted of a lesser included felony at trial, you will lose your right to vote, your right to own firearms, and your ability to maintain certain business licenses. You can also lose your ability to receive financial aid, your ability to live in certain places and your ability to obtain a passport.
If you need an attorney who will advise you, fight for your rights, and do everything possible to protect your future, or if someone you know has been charged with murder in Florida, then contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.