Homicide

A homicide conviction can send you to prison for the rest of your life

Homicide is perhaps the most serious criminal offence in Canada, as it is elsewhere in the world. A conviction on a homicide charge, whether for first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, or related charges, will result in severe penalties including the very real possibility of life in prison. If you are under investigation for or have been charged with any type of homicide, your life is literally on the line. It is vital that you retain a skilled and aggressive criminal defence lawyer with experience defending against homicide charges, like the certified specialists in criminal law at Cugelman & Eisen.

Understanding homicide law in Canada

Homicide is the taking, either directly or indirectly, of another person’s life. The charges includes first degree murder, second degree murder, infanticide, criminal negligence causing death, impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, and manslaughter. Canadian law recognizes that there are differing degrees of culpability on the part of a defendant, and so has created these different categories of homicide.

• First degree murder. First degree murder is a homicide that is both planned and deliberate. This does not mean that the planning had to be elaborate or the deliberation lengthy. All that is required is evidence that the accused planned to kill someone and took affirmative steps to execute that plan. Where the plan was unsuccessful, a defendant may face a charge of attempted murder. Additionally, some murders, like the murder of a police officer, are always treated as first degree murder, and a homicide may also be prosecuted as a first degree murder if it was committed during the execution of another serious crime such as a kidnapping, hijacking, sexual assault, hostage taking, terrorism, forcible confinement, criminal harassment, or any crime committed on behalf of a criminal organization.
• Second degree murder. Homicide cases that do not fall under the classification of first degree murder, such as a killing committed during a fight in the heat of the moment, without planning or forethought, will generally be prosecuted as second degree murder.
• Manslaughter. Manslaughter is defined as any culpable act that was committed without the intent to kill. Some common types of manslaughter are unlawful act manslaughter or manslaughter by criminal negligence.

Cugelman & Eisen’s experienced lawyers provide aggressive defence against all homicide charges

If you’ve been charged with a homicide, a highly skilled criminal defence lawyer with experience handling homicide cases may be the only thing standing between you and a lifetime in prison. Both Bernard Cugelman and Mitchell Eisen are certified criminal law specialists who have successfully obtained acquittals in homicide cases. They will work with you to protect your rights, explore your options, and prepare the most aggressive and effective possible defence in your case. It is essential that you contact them at the earliest possible time.

Cugelman & Eisen: Barrie Criminal Lawyers Who Will Fight for You

The certified specialists in criminal law at Cugelman & Eisen have more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defence, having prepared and argued cases successfully at all levels of the Ontario court system. They have built their practice on hard work, clear communication with clients, and an unwavering dedication to excellence in the field of criminal defence; today, Cugelman & Eisen is one of the most highly regarded law firms in the Barrie area. They provide exceptional criminal defence in all types of cases, including homicide, impaired driving, domestic and sexual assault, property offences, youth offences and more. Bernard Cugelman and Mitchell Eisen stay abreast of the latest developments in Canadian criminal law, which allows them to provide the most effective defence for every client. They can assist you through every phase of your criminal case, from police investigations, bail, and pre-trial hearings to trials, plea negotiations, and appeals. The law offices of Cugelman & Eisen are located at 89 Collier St. Suite 100, Barrie, Ontario L4M 1H2. Call them at (705) 721-1888 to discuss your case.