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Columbus Aggravated Murder Attorney

Charged with Aggravated Murder? Call LHA Right Away. Free Consults: (614) 500-3836.

One of the most serious offenses one can be charged with is aggravated murder. If you are charged with taking the life of another person, you could face a lifetime in prison and possibly the death penalty. You should contact a Columbus aggravated murder attorney at Luftman, Heck & Associates as soon as possible to discuss your rights if you’ve been charged with aggravated murder. Our attorneys will help craft a strong defense on your behalf and may be able to improve your situation and save your future.

Contact a Columbus aggravated murder attorney today at (614) 500-3836 to set up your free case assessment.

What is Aggravated Murder?

Ohio law defines murder as purposefully killing someone or terminating a pregnancy. Aggravated murder is a more serious charge than murder because it occurs when someone kills another person while in prison or while committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing after committing a crime such as rape, kidnapping, trespassing, or burglary. In addition, the intentional killing of a police officer while engaged in their official duties or an individual under the age of 13 is considered aggravated murder.

Penalties for Aggravated Murder

There is no criminal case more sensitive or consequences more serious than when a person loses their life. Depending on the severity of the allegations, aggravated murder charges, which are considered first-degree felonies, are punishable by up to $25,000 in fines and life in prison or the death penalty in the most serious circumstances.

If you are convicted of aggravated murder, it will be on your criminal background for the rest of your life. No matter what the circumstances were in your case, your life will never be the same. It is critical that you have an experienced aggravated murder attorney by your side to navigate the legal process on your behalf. Contact our Columbus aggravated murder attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates right away if you’ve been charged with aggravated murder.

When is Aggravated Murder Punishable by the Death Penalty?

In cases where the death penalty is an option, the jury will decide whether to sentence you to death, life without parole, or life with a 30-year or 25-year period where parole is prohibited. The governor also has the option of granting clemency, usually giving those sentenced to the death penalty a lesser sentence, such as life without parole.

If you were under 18 years old when you committed the crime or if you are judged to be mentally incompetent, you will not face the death penalty. To be convicted of a “capital offense,” or aggravated murder that is punishable by the death penalty, you must have done one of the following:

  • Created a serious risk of death for anyone besides the victim
  • Committed the murder for money or in accordance with an agreement that you’d receive something of value in exchange
  • Committed the murder while incarcerated in prison, escaped from prison, on probation, in jail, or under a sentence of imprisonment
  • Murdered someone under 13 years of age with prior planning
  • Murdered the president of the United States, the president-elect or vice president-elect, a person in line of succession to the presidency, the governor or lieutenant governor of Ohio, the governor-elect of Ohio, or a candidate for any of these offices
  • Murdered a witness in a trial to prevent them from appearing, or for revenge
  • Committed the murder while committing, attempting to commit, or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit terrorism.

Why You Should Hire a Columbus Aggravated Murder Attorney

While defending against an aggravated murder charge can be difficult, it is attainable with the help of a highly skilled aggravated murder attorney. At Luftman, Heck & Associates, our Columbus lawyers take an aggressive and comprehensive approach when representing clients charged with aggravated murder.

First and foremost, an aggravated murder attorney will figure out what mistakes the police or detectives made during their investigation, whether your arrest was lawful, if there were any problems in the collection or testing of evidence, and any other legal issues that can be raised on your behalf.

An aggravated murder lawyer at Luftman, Heck & Associates will request discovery from the prosecutor and conduct an investigation. The discovery will generally consist of police reports, additional investigative notes, lab reports, and potentially any videos or audio tapes.

The investigation will consist of going to the scene, interviewing all witnesses, and potentially hiring a private detective for further investigation. As a client of our firm, you will receive a copy of everything received from the prosecutor and our investigation for your review.

Based on the legal weaknesses in the State of Ohio’s case and any other mitigating factors, an aggravated murder lawyer will negotiate the best possible plea available with the prosecutor for you to consider in resolving your case. If your case cannot be resolved satisfactorily with a plea, it would then proceed to a motion hearing, which is a hearing where the judge issues a ruling on an evidentiary issue, or a trial to the judge or jury.

Contact a Columbus Aggravated Murder Lawyer at LHA Today

If you are facing an aggravated murder charge, you should call an experienced aggravated murder attorney at Luftman, Heck & Associates at (614) 500-3836 as soon as possible. A conversation with us can protect your rights and preserve your future.

Contact us right away to set up your free case consultation.

Penalties

Murder
The penalties for murder are as follows:

  • A mandatory prison sentence ranging from 15 years to life
  • At most, a fine of $15,000
Murder (victim under 13, with a sexual motivation specification)
The penalties are as follows:

  • A mandatory prison sentence ranging from 30 years to life
  • At most, a fine of $15,000
Murder (sexually motivated, sexually violent specifications)
The penalties are as follows:

  •  A mandatory prison sentence of life without parole
  • At most, a fine of $15,000
  • Required registration as a sex offender every 90 days; community notification of sex offender status
Aggravated murder
The penalties are as follows:

  • Either the death penalty or life imprisonment
  • At most, a fine of $25,000
Attempted murder
This is a felony of the first degree and carries the following penalties:

  • A mandatory prison sentence of three to 11 years
  • A possible fine ranging from $10,000 to $20,000
  • If a car was used as a means to attempt the offense, your driver’s license will be suspended from three years to life

Frequently Asked Questions

How is murder different from homicide?
Unlike homicide, murder involves negative intentions and some degree of planning–whether elaborate or merely in the moment. Homicide is simply killing one other person without planning and sometimes without intending to kill them.
Will I get the death penalty for aggravated murder?
In cases where the death penalty is an option, the jury will decide whether to sentence you to it, life without parole or life with a 30-year or 25-year period where parole is not allowed.The governor also has the option of granting clemency, usually giving those sentenced to the death penalty a lesser sentence, such as life without parole.

If you were under 18 years old when you committed the crime, or if you are judged to be mentally incompetent, you will not face the death penalty.

To be convicted of a “capital offense,” or aggravated murder that is punishable by the death penallty, you must have done any of the following:

  • Created a serious risk of death for anyone besides the victim
  • Committed the murder for money or in accordance with an agreement that you’d receive something of value in exchange
  • Committed the murder while incarcerated in prison, escaped from prison, on probation, in jail or under a sentence of imprisonment
  • Murdered someone under 13 years of age with prior planning
  • Murdered a president of the United States, the president-elect or vice president-elect, a person in line of succession to the presidency, the governor or lieutenant governor of Ohio, the governor-elect of Ohio or a candidate for any of these offices
  • Murdered a witness in a trial to prevent them from appearing, or for revenge
  • Committed the murder while committing, attempting to commit or fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit terrorism

Resources

For over a decade, the Columbus criminal defense lawyers at LHA have successfully represented clients on criminal offenses ranging from minor misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. That extensive previous experience will enable us to better help you.

Talk to a Columbus Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you have any questions about the material or if you need an experienced, competent attorney, call the Columbus criminal defense lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates at (614) 500-3836.

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