Homicide and Murder
Murder or homicide is the unlawful killing of another human being. It is one of the most serious crimes a person can commit, and as such, its consequences are severe. The criminal defense attorneys at Tully Rinckey PLLC are experienced in handling homicide and murder charges.
In New York, there are different forms of homicide. For a person to be charged with murder in the first degree, there must be an element of intent to cause the death. Manslaughter is a lesser crime, where a person has intent to cause bodily harm to another, and causes the death of their victim. There are different degrees to both of these crimes. If a person commits one of these crimes, the charge that is brought against them can depend on intent and/or extenuating circumstances.
A conviction for homicide can result in the most severe consequences, which may include:
- Prison time, up to a life sentence without parole
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse is a broad category that includes different types of crimes committed against people who live together, or are related by marriage, or house a child together, or who are or were involved in an intimate relationship. The criminal defense attorneys at Tully Rinckey PLLC are experienced in handling domestic violence charges.
Domestic violence can include spousal abuse, child abuse, or intimate partner violence. Domestic violence can encompass many different acts, including, physical abuse, threats, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, public humiliation, kidnapping, and stalking. Courts have become increasingly aware of patterns and trends in these types of behavior, and increasingly are treating the offenses with more weight.
Domestic violence cases can be extremely complicated, because of the sometimes low burden of evidence required to file charges. In addition, charges are sometimes found to be completely frivolous, or filed out of spite.
A conviction for domestic violence can result in severe consequences, which may include:
- Prison time
- Probation or parole
- Fines
- Loss of child custody or visitation rights
- Mandatory counseling
- Mandatory community service
Criminal Possession of a Weapon
The illegal possession of a deadly weapon, such as a firearm or knife is a crime by itself, but often is committed in combination with other violent offenses. Illegal weapons charges then cause the consequences of these crimes to be more severe. The criminal defense attorneys at Tully Rinckey PLLC are experienced in handling criminal weapon possession charges.
The consequences of illegal weapons possession depend on a number of factors, including prior arrests or convictions, parole or probation status, among others. Consequences for a conviction may include:
- Prison time
- Probation or parole
- Fines
- Loss of right to bear arms
Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are crimes committed against individuals because of the victim’s gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or similar group affiliation/status. The criminal defense attorneys at Tully Rinckey PLLC are experienced in handling hate crime charges.
These crimes of discrimination are also known as bias crimes. Hate crimes can take many forms of violence, and may include physical and/or verbal abuse, harassment, assault and battery, vandalism, homicide, and more.
Hate crime laws have developed relatively recently. The issues they highlight are polarizing, and receive much public attention. This can lead to extra pressure for these crimes to be punished more severely. Hate crimes are usually prosecuted together with another underlying crime, and thus do add to the potential for harsher consequence. Consequences for a conviction may include:
- Lengthy prison time
- Probation or parole
- Fines
- Mandatory rehabilitation
Assault
Assault is the act of physically injuring someone. There are varying degrees of assault, and consequences from a conviction can range from severe to light. The criminal defense attorneys at Tully Rinckey PLLC are experienced in handling assault charges.
After a person has been charged with assault, the smartest thing to do is consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. An attorney will guarantee that their rights are protected. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can evaluate the case and advise on the best course of action. In many cases, the charges can be reduced or even dismissed.
