Indianapolis Murder Defense Lawyer

Defense strategies that succeed. The dedicated legal defense you deserve.

In the past year alone, approximately 330 murders were committed in the state of Indiana. Though Indiana is only ranked #17 among states with the most murders, criminal homicide rates have been steadily rising over the past few years. In fact, the city of Indianapolis was recently ranked number nine in a national list of violent cities. In order to combat crime and increase safety in the community, local Indiana police, detectives, and Deputy Prosecutors have begun focusing heavily on investigating deaths and quickly conducting arrests of suspects. Research has shown that the vast majority of successful prosecutions involve an arrest that occurs within the first 48 hours following a murder. Indianapolis police are therefore intent on locating alleged suspects as fast as possible, oftentimes sacrificing the integrity of the investigation or overlooking key evidence in the process.

Indianapolis murder defense attorney Chris Eskew understands being arrested for homicide is a terrifying and anxiety-ridden process for anyone. The charges are serious, and the potential consequences can be severe. The right attorney can help you try to defend yourself, fight false allegations, uncover faulty police investigations, and clear your name. If you were charged with murder or any other type of homicide, the intelligent and devoted Indianapolis criminal lawyers at Eskew Law can begin investigating your case and developing a defense strategy. To speak with someone about your charges today, call Eskew Law at (317) 974-0177 immediately.

Homicide

Homicide is the unlawful killing of another person. In the state of Indiana, homicide is a criminal offense and it is in your best interest to consult an aggressive Indianapolis murder defense lawyer immediately if you have been charged. There are many different types of homicide, grouped by level of culpability. Culpability is determined by the role you played in the other person’s death, your actions that led to the death, and your intent when performing the actions. There are seven types of homicide in Indiana:

• Murder
• Causing suicide
• Assisting suicide
• Voluntary manslaughter
• Involuntary manslaughter
• Reckless homicide
• Feticide

Murder

Though many individuals equate homicide with murder, murder is but one type of homicide. Murder is the most culpable form of unlawful killing. There are four categories of murder:

1. Knowingly or intentionally killing another person: This is the traditional definition of murder. You either know your actions will kill someone and proceed forward anyway or you specifically intend to kill someone. Premeditation can form the basis for murder though it is not required.
2. Killing another person while committing another felony such as arson, burglary, child molestation or rape, kidnapping, robbery, carjacking, and more: Though you didn’t intend to kill someone, a death occurred. Your intent to commit the underlying felony makes you culpable for murder. For example, if you set fire to a building that has people inside and someone dies, even though you did not intend for them to die, you can be charged with both arson and murder.
3. Killing another person while committing or attempting to commit dealing in a controlled substance: If you are dealing a narcotic, pharmaceutical drug, or other controlled substance and kill someone while dealing, you have committed murder.
4. Knowingly or intentionally killing a viable fetus: If a fetus is capable of living outside of its womb and you kill it, such as through performing an abortion, you have committed murder.

Murder is punishable by 45 to 65 years in state prison and up to $10,000 in fines, though a good Indianapolis murder defense attorney can help you defend yourself to reduce or avoid penalties.

Contact an Indianapolis Murder Defense Lawyer for a Consultation

Were you charged with murdering another person or killing someone while committing a crime? Call Eskew Law at (317) 974-0177 or contact us online and we will review your case and advise you on how to proceed. We take this privilege and responsibility seriously for all of our clients throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana.

Sources

• FindLaw: Indiana Murder Laws
• FindLaw: Criminal Law and Procedure