A criminal conviction in Pennsylvania for intentionally ending another person’s life will result in severe penalties that alter the trajectory of your entire life. If you or a loved one faces murder charges, hiring Philadelphia murder defense lawyers now is critical. Shuttleworth Law P.C. represents individuals charged with serious crimes by defending their legal rights and challenging state or federal allegations.
Your side of things should be heard, and weak evidence should be challenged. Not everyone charged with a crime is guilty, and sometimes the prosecution needs to see that good people make poor choices. Regardless of what happened, murder charges are severe, as are its associated penalties.
“You don’t deserve to go to jail for a crime you didn’t commit. When you need a tough legal defense, call my office. We come up with innovative and creative solutions for our clients.”
Brad V. Shuttleworth, Esq.
Founder & Philadelphia Defense Lawyer, Shuttleworth Law P.C.
Call For a Free Case Evaluation Now to Get Legal Answers
Our Philadelphia murder defense attorneys at Shuttleworth Law P.C. have more than 15 years of experience representing some of the most challenging murder charges. Our law firm will fight tooth and nail for the best possible outcome in your case. Call 888-529-3486 Now for a Free Case Evaluation or message Brad directly here.
Shuttleworth Law P.C. Aggressively Defends Murder Charges in Pennsylvania & South Jersey
Pennsylvania classifies murder as 1st-, 2nd-, or 3rd-degree offenses and one of the few that recognizes 3rd-degree murder. Our state’s laws would allow a reduced sentence if the murder resulted from criminal negligence. However, you should never accept responsibility for a crime you did not commit or that goes unproven.
The Philadelphia murder defense lawyers at Shuttleworth Law P.C. will aggressively defend and protect your legal rights while holding the criminal justice system accountable against the following types of charges:
1st-Degree Murder
1st-degree murder means prosecutors believe you intentionally killed someone and premeditated the act. Proving this charge requires the prosecution to prove a specific intent to kill with malice. The prosecution can prove specific intent to kill if they can show that it was willful, deliberate, and premeditated. This is the most serious charges someone could ever face. Potential penalties include death or life imprisonment.
2nd-Degree Murder
2nd-degree murder is reserved for homicides or manslaughters that occurred while committing a felony. This charge usually includes drug trafficking, kidnapping, and robbery. For this offense, the mandatory sentence is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
3rd-Degree Murder
Our laws define 3rd-degree murder as any other type of murder that does not fall under 1st- or 2nd-degree. These charges typically involve a defendant acting with malice and causing the unintentional death of another person. A killing with malice is usually when the perpetrator acts with wanton and willful disregard of an unjustified and extremely high risk that his conduct would result in death or serious bodily injury. Potential penalties include up to forty (40) years imprisonment.
Manslaughter
There are two types of manslaughter charges in Pennsylvania: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter is a 1st-degree felony and usually involves “crimes of passion” caused by intense provocation. Involuntary manslaughter is a 1st-degree misdemeanor and involves reckless acts or acts of gross negligence.
A Free Case Evaluation Will Get You Answers
Get a Free Claim Evaluation with Brad today by calling 888-529-3486 or message him directly online. We’ll get you the legal help you want and deserve.
Murder and Manslaughter Charges Require a Personalized Defense
Prosecutors must prove specific elements to establish a person’s guilt, which vary according to the offense. However, they must present admissible evidence sufficient to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt no matter what. Otherwise, you should not face a murder or manslaughter conviction, and Philadelphia murder defense lawyer have the legal knowledge and resources to help you navigate these legal complexities.
Our primary objective is to get your charges dropped and can craft compelling defenses that include:
- A case of mistaken identity
- Alibi defenses
- Self-defense
- Insufficient evidence
- Factual innocence
- Insanity
- Other viable legal defenses
Call murder defense lawyers in Philadelphia at Shuttleworth Law P.C. as soon as possible if you face charges. Brad V. Shuttleworth has over 15 years of experience defending his client’s rights and is ready to handle your case as his practice focuses on murder defense. We understand implicitly that murder convictions have a lasting, unwanted impact on your life and that damage control is critical at this point.
Count on our Philadelphia legal team to fight aggressively on your behalf while employing innovative strategies.
Types of Murder Cases We Aggressively Defend
Murder is one of the most serious Pennsylvania criminal charges anyone could ever face, with capital punishment on the line. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) approximates that between five and eight percent of murder convictions are wrongful. A Philadelphia murder defense lawyer will investigate your charges thoroughly and present a strong defense that fights for your life and freedom.
Award-winning Philadelphia murder defense lawyers at Shuttleworth Law P.C. confidently and aggressively represents the following types of cases:
- 1st-degree murder
- 2nd-degree murder
- 3rd-degree murder
- Abuse of corpse
- Attempted murder
- DUI homicide
- Investigation representation
- Involuntary manslaughter
- Murder appeals
- Vehicular homicide
- Voluntary Manslaughter
Shuttleworth Law P.C. possesses the experience and knowledge you deserve from Philadelphia murder defense attorneys. Our objective is to get your charges dropped, reduced, or dismissed and will never stop short when it comes to clearing your name. Regardless of what evidence prosecutors have available, we will explain your legal options in plain language so that you understand what is happening and why throughout the legal process.
Steps to Take If a Family Member Faces Pennsylvania Murder Charges
It is important to remember that charges are not the same as convictions. You still have a legal opportunity to cast doubt on the prosecutor’s theory against your defense. However, to appear before the court in the best possible light, it is critical that you retain competent legal representation as early on as possible.
Here are a few steps you can take now:
Step 1. Speak with Philadelphia Murder Defense Lawyers
The first step is to retain the legal services of an attorney. No two law firms are alike, so you will want to ensure that you work with a legal professional who makes you feel comfortable and confident. You also want a lawyer who is honest with you about every aspect of your case. It is critical to choose legal counsel with experience defending murder charges and one who will go after evidence that will help you.
Step 2. Collaborate with Us Closely
The second step is to collaborate closely with that attorney to develop a strong defense. Shuttleworth Law P.C. is equipped to handle a wide variety of criminal cases, including murder. We have relationships with many private investigators and expert witnesses to help craft a solid defense and push back against the prosecution’s resources. Brad V. Shuttleworth Esq. has extensive experience defending criminal law matters, allowing our firm to represent our clients using creative and strategic solutions aggressively.
Step 3. Follow Through on Legal Advice
Your final step is to follow your Philadelphia murder defense attorney’s legal advice throughout the process to maximize the value of our services. We must ask you critical and sometimes delicate questions to which you must respond candidly and truthfully but it is a vital part of the attorney-client relationship. If you choose to hire Shuttleworth Law P.C. to represent your case, we will handle every aspect while offering advice at every critical point.
You Deserve Philadelphia Murder Defense Lawyers Fighting for Your Life
Shuttleworth Law P.C. recognizes that a murder charge necessitates the assistance of an inventive, proactive Our Philadelphia murder defense lawyers will stand dutifully by your side throughout the legal process.
Your life could be on the line, which means it is vital to assemble aggressive legal counsel and investigators who will fight like it is. Our law firm wants to be that team.
We Want You to Walk Free
As an experienced and award-winning Pennsylvania criminal defense firm, Shuttleworth Law P.C. has successfully defended clients charged with murder, manslaughter, and similar offenses. We have persuaded the justice system to dismiss and drop cases at the outset before reputations are ruined, and lives and liberties are jeopardized.
We Have Access to Case-Changing Legal Resources
Depending upon your case, our legal team will devise a dream team of investigators, experts, defense techniques, and support staff necessary to exhaust all possible defenses. If you want to put up a fight that makes you feel at peace with the decision, hire Philadelphia murder defense lawyers at Shuttleworth Law P.C. to put up a defense.
Get a Free Case Evaluation from Philadelphia Murder Defense Lawyers Now
Do you need legal answers after a murder charge arrest? The legal team at Shuttleworth Law P.C. wants to help. Get in touch with our Philadelphia law office now by calling 888-529-3486 or completing the intake form below.