Murder Defense

Hire a skilled Georgia criminal defense attorney immediately if you are facing charges for murder.

Being charged with a crime is a devastating experience. Even for minor crimes, the process of going through the courts can be overwhelming, and a criminal conviction can leave a black mark on your criminal record. Perhaps no criminal charge is more serious than that of murder, though. If you have been charged with murder, our Georgia criminal defense lawyers are here to help. To learn more about your legal options and how our team can help, please call us directly today or send us a message at your convenience.

Defining Murder in Georgia

The definition of murder is found in Georgia’s criminal code Section 16-5-1. According to the text of the statute, a person commits an act of murder when they “unlawfully and with malice aforethought, either express or implied” cause the death of another person. Malice is further defined by the statute in section 16-5-1(b). Malice is defined as “deliberate intentions unlawfully to take the life of another human being which is manifested by external circumstances capable of proof.” In order to secure a conviction of murder, then, the prosecution must prove that the defendant was acting with malice unless the murder occurred while the defendant was committing another felony offense, in which case the existence of malice does not matter.

Penalties for a Murder Conviction in Georgia

Being convicted of a murder charge in our state is devastating. The same section of Georgia code cited above holds that if a person is convicted of murder, they will be sentenced to life in prison, life in prison without parole, or death. Georgia still has the death penalty.

Defending Yourself Against a Murder Charge

If you or a close loved one/family member has been charged with murder, the first thing that you should do is to hire a skilled criminal defense lawyer who has experience working on cases like yours and can start building your defense immediately. Our lawyers at the law offices of Ghanayem & Rayasam will work hard to defend you against charges. Potential defenses to murder include:

• You did not do it/ they have the wrong person;
• You lacked intent and malice - the murder was accidental and should be reduced to a charge of involuntary manslaughter;
• You were acting in self-defense; or
• Insanity/ mental illness.

Our lawyers will also discuss with you the possibility of accepting a plea bargain. A plea bargain is a situation in which a defendant pleads guilty to charges in exchange for the charges or the sentence or both being reduced.

Call Our Georgia Murder Defense Attorneys Today

If you are facing criminal charges for murder, do not wait any longer to get the legal help you need. At the law office of Ghanayem & Rayasam, we are here to support you and advocate for you as you navigate the criminal defense system. With so much on the line, you want a criminal defense lawyer on your side who you know will work hard for you.