When Do You Need a Manslaughter Lawyer?
In Canada, manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another individual without malice and without intent. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may be charged with voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter. A manslaughter charge is usually considered less severe than a homicide charge because there was not the intent to kill another human being.
Each jurisdiction may have unique statutes that outline the punishments for manslaughter charges. The punishments will typically based on certain factors, such as:
- The charge is involuntary or voluntary manslaughter
- If you were under the influence at the time of the crime
- If you use a weapon during the crime
Typically, the punishment for voluntary manslaughter will be more significant than involuntary manslaughter. A conviction of voluntary manslaughter may result in significant penalties, such as:
- Incarceration
- Hefty criminal fines
- Other consequences, which may include:
- Probation
- Mandatory counseling
- Rehabilitation courses
If you have been charged with any type of manslaughter, it is essential that you consult with a lawyer for manslaughter as soon as you can. Your manslaughter attorney will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process and be able to present defenses and mitigating factors on your behalf in court.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Manslaughter Lawyer in Canada?
How much it may cost you to hire a manslaughter lawyer will vary significantly depending on several factors, which include:
- The complexity of your case: Complex cases usually cost more to defend and resolve.
- Experience: Experienced lawyers often charge higher fees than newer lawyers.
- Billing method: Lawyers may use different billing methods for their clients, such as:
- Hourly rate
- Flat fee
- Contingency fee
- Retainer fee
- Location: Lawyers in larger cities will commonly charge higher fees than those in more rural areas or smaller towns.
If they use an hourly fee schedule, a manslaughter attorney may charge anywhere from CA$200 to CA$500 or more per hour. In some criminal cases, a lawyer may require their client to pay a retainer fee, which is a deposit for the lawyer’s future work.
If your lawyer requires a retainer fee, they will work and bill their work on your case against your retainer amount until it is used. Once it has been used, your lawyer will start billing you by the hour.
What to Look for in a Manslaughter Lawyer?
Having a manslaughter lawyer who fits your needs and with whom you are comfortable working is important to make sure you have the best defense possible presented on your behalf. Tips to help find a manslaughter attorney include:
- Experience: You look for an attorney with experience handling manslaughter cases to ensure they are familiar with the applicable laws and possible sentences in your jurisdiction.
- This includes being familiar with alternative sentences that may be available, such as plea bargains and diversion programs.
- Communication: Because a manslaughter conviction can result in severe punishments that may impact all aspects of your everyday life, it is essential to have a lawyer handle your case who responds promptly to your communications and who gives you regular updates on the status of your case.
- Strategy: Your manslaughter attorney should be able to explain to you the strategy or strategies they plan to use in your case.
- You should also ask your lawyer about trying to negotiate with the prosecution for a lesser charge or a plea bargain.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Manslaughter Lawyer?
Preparing in advance for your consultation with your manslaughter lawyer will help you make sure that you get the most you can out of the meeting. It will also allow your lawyer to be able to create the best possible defense strategy for your case.
There are several important steps you can take to prepare for your consultation, including:
- Make a written list of your concerns and questions: Before you go to your meeting with your manslaughter lawyer, you should make a written list of any concerns or questions to have, for example:
- Background and experience of your lawyer
- Their experience with manslaughter cases specifically
- The lawyer’s success rate with similar cases
- Thoughts on the possible outcomes of your case
- Availability of alternative sentencing options in your area
- Gather evidence: Bring any evidence you may have related to your manslaughter charges, which may include:
- Police reports
- Court documents
- Communications
- Photographs
- Receipts
- Other evidence you may have
- Be honest: When you are discussing your case with your lawyer, you must be totally honest, even about incriminating or embarrassing details. If you are not, your lawyer cannot help you prepare for them to come out in court and they can come back to harm your case.
- Lawyers are bound by confidentiality rules, which means they cannot tell that information to other people.
Where to Find Manslaughter Lawyers in Canada?
A great place to find a manslaughter lawyer in your area in Canada is LegalMatch. LegalMatch provides convenient online matching services at no charge.
Even though you may try to search online for, “manslaughter lawyers near me” or “manslaughter attorneys near me,” the results you get from that online search may likely not be very informative and you may not find the best lawyer for your needs.
By using LegalMatch, you can get information about manslaughter lawyers in your area in a few easy steps:
- Submitting your concern: Submit information about your criminal case in about 15 minutes on the LegalMatch website.
- Getting matched: You will get responses from manslaughter lawyer matches in your area in around 24 hours.
- Choosing a lawyer: When you get manslaughter attorney responses, they will include information about their:
- Education
- Background
- Fee arrangements
- Client reviews
Unlike a general online search, information that is given to you from LegalMatch can help you find a licensed, pre-screened, and top-rated manslaughter lawyer in your area, whether you are in a large city, like Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal, or a small town. Many of these lawyers will also give free initial consultations, which allows you to choose the lawyer who best fits your budget and needs.
