When Do You Need a Homicide Lawyer?
Homicide, or the unlawful killing of another human being, may result in severe punishments. If you are facing homicide charges of any type in Canada, it is essential for you to have a homicide lawyer.
The charges against you may range from intentional killings, such as murder, to unintentional killings, such as manslaughter. Both of these crimes are further broken down into degrees based on the facts of the case and the nature of the crime.
The legal consequences you may face can be very serious and many include:
- Imprisonment
- This may range anywhere from ten years to a life sentence, in some cases, without the possibility of parole
- Loss of the right to possess a gun
- Criminal fines of up to $250,000
- Inability to obtain or maintain certain occupational licenses, for example, a medical license
There are also other factors that may influence the degree of the crime you are charged with to a more serious crime with harsher punishments, including:
- If you have prior convictions
- If you are currently on parole or probation
- If you use a forbidden weapon during the crime
It is also important to be aware that you might be sued in civil court for wrongful death in addition to the criminal charges you face. It is extremely important for you to have a lawyer for homicide who can present a defense on your behalf in court.
It is important to know that, in most cases, presenting a defense to your homicide charge may not always have the goal of having the charges dropped or you being found not guilty. Instead, your lawyer may develop a strategy to reduce a more serious homicide degree to a less serious offense.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Homicide Lawyer in Canada?
The cost of hiring a homicide lawyer will vary greatly depending on numerous different factors, such as:
- The complexity of your case: Complex cases usually cost more.
- Experience: Experienced lawyers typically charge more.
- Billing method: Lawyers use different billing methods, such as:
- Hourly rate
- Flat fee
- Contingency fee
- Retainer fee
- Location: Lawyers in larger cities will commonly charge higher rates.
A homicide attorney may charge anywhere from CA$200 to CA$500 or more per hour. Some lawyers will also require their clients to pay a retainer fee, similar to a deposit.
Your homicide lawyer will bill their hourly charges against the retainer amount until it is used up. Once the retainer has been completely used, your attorney will bill you by the hour.
What to Look for in a Homicide Lawyer?
Finding a homicide lawyer who fits your needs is important to make sure your rights are protected. Helpful things to look for in a homicide attorney include:
- Experience: You should seek out an attorney with experience handling homicide cases to ensure they are familiar with the applicable laws and possible punishments in your jurisdiction.
- Communication: Because a homicide conviction can be serious and can impact every aspect of your life, it is important to have an attorney who promptly responds to your communications and who provides updates on your case regularly.
- Strategy: Your homicide attorney should be able to explain the strategy they have for handling your case.
Your lawyer should also be willing to try and negotiate a lesser charge or a plea bargain with the prosecution if you are interested in doing so.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Homicide Lawyer?
Taking the time to prepare for an initial consultation with your homicide lawyer will help ensure that you get the most out of your time with your lawyer. Additionally, it will help ensure that your lawyer is able to create the best possible strategy for your defense.
Important things you can do before attending your consultation include:
- Write down concerns and questions: Before meeting with your homicide attorney, take the time to write down concerns and questions you have related to your case. You may want to ask questions about you lawyer’s:
- Background and experience
- Experience with homicide cases specifically
- Success rate with similar cases
- Thoughts on the possible outcomes of your case
- Gather documents: Bring any documents related to your homicide charges, which may include:
- Police reports
- Court documents
- Other evidence you may have
- Be honest: When you are talking about your case with your attorney, it is essential that you are completely honest and share everything you know, even if those details are embarrassing or incriminating.
- If you do not tell your lawyer all you know, they may not be able to successfully represent you.
- You can be comfortable sharing information with your attorney because they are bound by confidentiality rules.
- If you do not tell your lawyer all you know, they may not be able to successfully represent you.
Where to Find Homicide Lawyers in Canada?
LegalMatch is a free and convenient way to locate a homicide lawyer in your area of Canada. Even though you may think it would be simpler to just search online for, “homicide lawyers near me” or “homicide attorneys near me,” the results you get from an online search may likely not contain much helpful information.
With LegalMatch, you can obtain important information about homicide lawyers in your area by:
- Submitting your concern: Submit your case information in about 15 minutes on the website.
- Getting matched: You will get homicide lawyer matches in your area in about 24 hours.
- Choosing a lawyer: When you get a homicide lawyer match, you will also get information about their:
- Education
- Fee arrangements
- Background
- Client reviews
This information provided by LegalMatch can be used to help you choose a top-rated homicide attorney in your area, whether that is a small town or a large city, such as Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver. Many of the attorneys will offer free initial consultations to help you decide who best fits your needs and budget.
