Published in Criminal Law by Chris Eskew on March 17, 2024.
Tenga en cuenta que nuestro bufete ejerce la abogacía únicamente en el estado de Indiana, por lo que no puede prestar servicios jurídicos fuera de esta jurisdicción.
Self-defense is a primal legal concept. When presented with danger, there is a human instinct to defend yourself. So, what happens if you kill someone in self-defense? Can you be charged with murder? Unfortunately, it is not a clear-cut answer.
Throughout the United States, self-defense laws justify a person’s use of lethal force to protect themselves from death or serious bodily injury.
It may seem like a simple concept, but in actuality, it can be surprisingly complex. People often wonder, How can you be charged with murder for self-defense?
If you kill someone, even if you were protecting yourself or someone you love, you will likely face probing questions from the police and prosecutor.
They are mainly seeking to determine if the killing was accidental or if you were justified in your actions. It is imperative that you have an Indianapolis criminal defense attorney at your side to protect your interests during all such conversations with police and investigators.
To get started, contact us today.
Defensa Personal Ley de Indiana
Bajo la ley de Indiana, una persona está justificada en usar fuerza razonable contra otra para protegerse de lo que razonablemente cree que es un uso inminente de fuerza ilegal. En otras palabras, si su vida está en peligro inmediato, tiene derecho a protegerse.
La legislatura de Indiana declara además que una persona está justificada para usar la fuerza letal y no tiene el deber de retirarse si cree razonablemente que la fuerza es necesaria para evitar lesiones corporales graves a sí misma o a un tercero.
La doctrina del castillo y la ley "Stand Your Ground
The Castle Doctrine is another old and deeply-rooted legal concept that has been recognized for hundreds of years. Often referred to as “Stand Your Ground” laws, the concept is the same.
It states that every person has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home and has the right to protect themselves and their family.
Está justificado el uso razonable de la fuerza, incluida la fuerza letal, si una persona cree razonablemente que dicha fuerza es necesaria para impedir o poner fin a la entrada ilegal o el ataque a su vivienda por parte de otra persona. Esto incluye su vehículo de motor.
However, the scary truth is that you may still face a murder charge if you kill someone in self-defense.
But ultimately, your actions are justified if you can prove they were necessary to protect yourself or a third person. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be instrumental in helping you articulate your defense.
Defensa propia contra homicidio involuntario
Si ha tenido que protegerse utilizando fuerza letal, sin duda habrá una investigación para determinar si sus acciones constituyen defensa propia justificable o el cargo penal de homicidio involuntario.
Hay dos tipos de homicidio: voluntario e involuntario.
El homicidio voluntario se produce cuando un individuo mata a otro a sabiendas o intencionadamente mientras está provocado o en el calor del momento. Por otra parte, el homicidio involuntario se produce cuando un individuo actúa de manera imprudente que resulta en la muerte de otra persona.
Puede haber una línea muy fina entre la defensa propia y el homicidio involuntario. Deje que nuestros abogados experimentados en Eskew Law le ayuden.
¿Cómo demuestro que fue en defensa propia?
Probar que actuó en defensa propia no es tan sencillo como parece. Para ganar una demanda de defensa propia bajo la ley de Indiana, usted debe satisfacer varios elementos. Su abogado debe probar:
- Estabas en un lugar donde tenías derecho a estar;
- Usted no provocó, instigó ni participó voluntariamente en la violencia;
- Tuvo un temor razonable de muerte o lesiones corporales graves; y
- El peligro era inminente y justificaba el uso de la fuerza, incluida la fuerza letal.
As the defendant, you must prove all of these elements were present. The best evidence would be the eyewitness testimony of someone who witnessed the events unfold.
However, your lawyer can use other methods to prove a valid self-defense claim, including your own testimony, surveillance video, and forensic evidence.
Contacte hoy con los abogados de Eskew Law
If you had to use lethal force to defend yourself, you should seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. You have the right to defend yourself, but prosecutors and police do not have to take your word for it.
They will want proof. Mapping out your self-defense claim as early as possible is key to avoiding a murder or manslaughter conviction.
At Eskew Law, each client receives personal one-on-one contact with our attorneys, and we never pass your case off to a paralegal or assistant. Your freedom and family matter most to us. Call us to schedule a confidential consultation.
