Homicide Charges

Oklahoma Homicide charges? Hiring a talented and experienced Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Attorney is imperative.

The Oklahoma City Criminal Law Firm of Atkins & Markoff is extremely familiar with Oklahoma City Homicide, Manslaughter and Murder Defense. The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Atkins & Markoff strive for not guilty verdicts throughout Oklahoma City County and Oklahoma. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Manslaughter
Manslaughter is the killing of a person without premeditated thoughts.
Read more about homicide charges in Oklahoma

Vehicular Manslaughter
Vehicular manslaughter is the crime of negligently driving a vehicle and directly causing the death of a human being.
Read more about vehicular manslaughter in Oklahoma

Murder
Murder is the intentional killing of a person with “malice aforethought” or, premeditated thought and the intent of killing someone.
Read more about murder charges in Oklahoma

Homicide is a broad term describing murder and manslaughter. Contact the Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyers at Atkins & Markoff today to discuss your case!

Homicide Laws in Oklahoma

Manslaughter and murder charges carry some of the most severe penalties in Oklahoma. If you are suspected of homicide or have been charged with homicide in Oklahoma, you must act immediately in order to ensure your rights are protected throughout the course of your case. The Oklahoma criminal defense attorneys at Atkins & Markoff are experienced in defending against homicide charges, are familiar with Oklahoma laws and legal proceedings, and can help you exercise your right to defend yourself in court.

    Types of Homicide in Oklahoma

  • Manslaughter
  • Vehicular manslaughter
  • Murder

The main difference between manslaughter and murder under Oklahoma law is intent. Manslaughter in the first degree is defined as the unlawful and intentional killing of a human being, but without malice. In order for a homicide to be considered first degree manslaughter, there must either be a positive intention to kill or an act of violence from which death or great bodily harm may result. Any killing of a human being by the negligence of another, which is not considered murder or manslaughter in the first degree nor excusable or justifiable homicide, is considered manslaughter in the second degree. Vehicular manslaughter is defined by Oklahoma law as the crime of negligently driving a vehicle and directly causing the death of another human being.

First degree murder occurs when a person unlawfully and with malicious premeditation causes the death of another human being. Other actions that lead to a charge of first degree murder include unintentionally killing another person while committing a felony, intentionally causing the death of a law enforcement official, or the malicious abuse or torture of a child which results in death. Murder in the second degree occurs when a person acts in a way that is imminently dangerous to another person and is indicative of a depraved mind, but carries out the act without premeditation or the intention to kill any particular individual.

    Penalties for Homicide Convictions in Oklahoma

  • First degree manslaughter – Punishable by a prison term of not less than four years
  • Second degree manslaughter – Punishable by a prison term between one and four years and a fine of $1,000
  • Vehicular manslaughter – Punishable by a fine of $500 to $1,000, two to three years in jail, and one to two years of probation
  • First degree murder – Punishable by death, life in prison without the possibility of parole, or a life term with the possibility of parole
  • Second degree murder – Punishable by a prison term between ten years and a life sentence

An Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Being convicted of homicide in Oklahoma can significantly alter the rest of your life, or may even result in the death penalty in cases of first degree murder. If you are facing Oklahoma homicide charges, your first step should be to contact an experienced Oklahoma criminal defense attorney. At Atkins & Markoff, our criminal defense lawyers have a successful background in defending against homicide charges and can help you navigate through the legal process and court proceedings while protecting your rights.