Being accused of homicide or manslaughter can change your life in an instant. But if you acted in self-defense, that’s a different story. Michigan law allows the use of deadly force in certain situations, but whether that defense applies to your specific case depends on what happened before, during, and after the incident.
At the Law Office of John Freeman, we understand the high stakes of homicide and manslaughter cases, and our criminal defense lawyer knows how to prepare a strategic defense from the beginning.
What Exactly is Homicide and Manslaughter Under Michigan Law?
Homicide is a general term used when one person causes another person’s death. Depending on the circumstances, prosecutors may charge murder or manslaughter, and the penalties vary based on the offense.
- First-Degree Murder: Punishable by life in prison without parole.
- Second-Degree Murder: Punishable by life in prison or any term of years.
- Voluntary Manslaughter: Generally involves an intentional killing committed in the heat of the moment and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.
- Involuntary Manslaughter: Generally involves causing a death through reckless or grossly negligent conduct and carries up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.
Even if you’ve been charged with one of these offenses, a self-defense claim may still be available depending on the facts of your case. Our criminal defense attorney in Michigan can explain the charges you’re facing and whether self-defense applies to your case.
What if I Were Defending Myself?
Michigan’s Self-Defense Act allows a person who is not engaged in the commission of a crime and is in a place they have a legal right to be to use deadly force without a duty to retreat when they honestly and reasonably believe the force is necessary to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault.
For example, imagine if you were cornered in a parking lot by someone who threatens you with a knife. Believing you’re about to be seriously injured, you use deadly force to protect yourself. Investigators will examine whether your belief was honest and reasonable under the circumstances. Simply believing you’re in danger isn’t enough. The threat must be immediate, and your belief that deadly force was necessary must be reasonable under the specific circumstances.
How Do You Prove You Acted in Self-Defense?
Every self-defense case is different. Investigators may review witness statements, surveillance or doorbell camera footage, 911 recordings, medical records, forensic evidence, and injuries sustained by everyone involved. They may also examine events leading up to the confrontation to understand why you used deadly force. Our legal team can gather additional evidence, interview witnesses, and present the full sequence of events rather than relying solely on the initial police investigation.
Why Are People Sometimes Charged Even If They Claim Self-Defense?
Claiming self-defense doesn’t automatically stop police from arresting you or prosecutors from charging you with murder. If investigators believe the facts are unclear or dispute whether your case meets legal requirements for self-defense, they may proceed with your case while examining the issues.
However, being charged doesn’t mean self-defense has been ruled out. John Freeman, our criminal defense lawyer, can challenge the prosecution’s evidence, raise legal arguments supporting self-defense, and work to show why your use of force was legally justified.
Charged With Homicide or Manslaughter? Contact Our Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
The entire story matters, not just the final moments. Self-defense cases are rarely decided by one moment alone. What happened before the encounter, how the situation unfolded, and why force was used can all affect whether a homicide or manslaughter charge is legally justified.
If you’re facing homicide or manslaughter charges in Michigan, our criminal defense lawyer in Michigan is here to serve you. Call the Law Office of John Freeman at 248-519-2313 or email us for your free case evaluation.