Can Murder Charges Be Reduced to Manslaughter?

 Posted on February 22, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that “violence only begets more violence. It is a never-ending cycle.” While true, some people do take the life of another person for countless reasons.

While killing another person is considered the most atrocious offense one person could commit, the law does not see all killings the same. The law classifies homicides based on the offender’s state of mind during the commission of the act. Illinois law is no different.

If you are facing homicide charges, you need a Chicago criminal defense lawyer to defend these heinous charges levied against you.

Murder versus Manslaughter

Illinois law does make a distinction between first-degree and second-degree murder. In first-degree murder, the defendant must have an intent to kill. First-degree murder requires either planning (premeditation) or an intent to cause great bodily harm.

If there are certain mitigating factors, the charge may be reduced from first-degree to second-degree murder. Second-degree murder may entail a killing in the heat of the moment, like if the defendant intended to kill another person but killed the victim instead.

Unlike both first- and second-degree murder, manslaughter is an unintentional killing. It is classified as voluntary or involuntary in nature. Under Illinois law, voluntary manslaughter only applies to the killing of an unborn child. This may arise if a person intends to kill a pregnant woman but mistakenly kills her unborn child.

Involuntary manslaughter is the accidental killing of another person due to a reckless act or negligence. Manslaughter lacks an intent to kill, setting both forms apart from murder.

Mitigating Circumstances

There may be certain circumstances that could get your charges reduced from murder to manslaughter. The circumstances may include a killing done in the “heat of passion” or using excessive force in a self-defense situation.

Many people get confused by the “heat of passion.” A killing is committed in the “heat of passion” if the perpetrator cannot control their emotions, allowing rage, terror, or fury to spur their killing.

Proving a “heat of passion” killing or that a person used excessive force (more than what was reasonable given the situation) may only get a first-degree murder charge reduced to second-degree murder. These mitigating circumstances on their own are unlikely to get a murder charge reduced to manslaughter.

Intent

Mens rea is the actor’s state of mind during the commission of a crime. To secure a guilty verdict for murder, a prosecutor must prove that you intended to kill. This must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

For a first-degree murder conviction, the state must demonstrate that the killing was premeditated and that the defendant intended to cause death or great bodily harm. The prosecution must have such compelling evidence that any person of reasonable intelligence would believe that the defendant is guilty.

Proving that someone had a certain intention is no easy task. If a prosecutor cannot meet their burden, the prosecutor may make a plea bargain with your criminal defense attorney to have the charges reduced.

Speak with a Chicago, IL, Homicide Defense Attorney

As a member of a civilized society, you assume that you will never resort to deadly violence. That is until the unexpected occurs, and you suddenly do. If you have been charged with murder or manslaughter, you need to speak with our Cook County, IL, homicide defense attorney. Contact Law Offices of James F. DiQuattro online or call 312-627-9482 to schedule your free consultation.