Birmingham Manslaughter Defense Lawyers

Because it involves the loss of life, manslaughter is one of the most severely prosecuted violent crimes in Alabama. As such, it carries heavy penalties and life-altering repercussions. From extended prison sentences to the social stigma of a felony conviction, your freedom and future are at high risk when accused of this offense.

Your priority in such a grave matter should be to enlist the services of a reputable and trusted criminal defense lawyer. You will need an attorney who knows how to investigate every aspect of your situation in search of evidence and information that can benefit you and uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s assertions. Our experience in handling complex manslaughter defenses in Birmingham can help you navigate the challenging legal system.

At Revill Law Firm, you can turn to an award-winning Alabama defender who understands the high stakes involved and how to devise a strategy to fight back. Our firm is dedicated to protecting your rights, ensuring you are treated fairly, aggressively pursuing your best interests, and providing unwavering support throughout the legal process. We believe in fully preparing for every eventuality, which includes being ready to take your defense through to trial if a satisfactory pre-trial resolution cannot be achieved.

Request a free case review with a Birmingham manslaughter defense attorney. You can reach us online or by calling (205) 928-6544.

Understanding Manslaughter in Alabama

Manslaughter in Alabama is defined under Alabama Code 1975, § 13A-6-3. The code divides manslaughter into two categories based on the circumstances of the act. Understanding these categories is crucial as they impact the strategy your defense team will employ.

Reckless Manslaughter

Under Ala. Code 1975, § 13A-6-3(a)(1), manslaughter occurs when a person recklessly causes the death of another person. This implies that the individual involved did not intend to cause death but acted in a manner that was so careless or reckless that it resulted in someone's death.

This could include actions such as reckless driving that results in a fatal accident. The key element here is the state of mind of the accused at the time of the act: They must have been aware (or should have been aware) of a serious risk of causing death but disregarded that risk.

Provocation Manslaughter

On the other hand, Ala. Code 1975, § 13A-6-3(a)(2) defines manslaughter as occurring when a person causes the death of another person under circumstances that would constitute murder, except that the person causes the death due to a sudden heat of passion caused by provocation.

This provocation must be such that it could cause a reasonable person to act rashly and without reflection. Additionally, there must not have been a reasonable amount of time for the person to cool down between the provocation and the killing.

This typically covers situations where an individual kills another in the heat of the moment after being provoked. For example, if someone finds their spouse in bed with another person and kills one or both of them in immediate shock and anger, this might be considered manslaughter under this section.

Both reckless and provocation manslaughter are considered Class B felonies in Alabama and carry severe penalties, including a prison term of 2 to 20 years and substantial fines.

Vehicular Manslaughter

Vehicular manslaughter, also known as vehicular homicide, is a crime that involves causing the death of another person due to a driver’s unlawful or negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Situations that might lead to such charges include driving under the influence or grossly negligent behavior, like texting while driving.

It falls under the broader statutes for reckless manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. In Alabama, criminal negligence occurs when you fail to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk of causing injury or death. Criminally negligent homicide is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a maximum of $6,000 in fines.

Legal Defenses to Manslaughter Charges

Here are common defenses used in Alabama:

• Self-Defense: If the defendant can demonstrate that they acted to protect themselves or others from an imminent threat of death or serious injury, this may justify their actions. Alabama's Stand Your Ground law allows individuals to use reasonable force, including deadly force, without a duty to retreat in certain situations.
• Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, this applies if the defendant reasonably believed they needed to use force to protect another person from harm.
• Accident (Lack of Recklessness): Manslaughter often requires reckless behavior. If the death was purely accidental and lacked negligence or recklessness, this can be a valid defense.
• Lack of Intent: While manslaughter doesn't require intent to kill, proving the absence of intent (e.g., the death resulted from an unforeseeable chain of events) can undermine the prosecution’s case.
• Insanity or Mental Incapacity: The defendant may claim they were legally insane at the time, meaning they could not understand the nature of their actions or distinguish right from wrong.
• Intoxication: While voluntary intoxication is generally not a strong defense, involuntary intoxication (where the defendant was unknowingly drugged, for instance) may be more effective.
• Duress or Coercion: This defense applies if the defendant committed the act because they were forced to do so under threat of imminent harm or death.
• Heat of Passion: Alabama law acknowledges heat of passion as a mitigating factor that can reduce a murder charge to manslaughter. This applies when a person is provoked in a way that would cause a reasonable person to lose control.
• Mistaken Identity: If the defendant was wrongly identified as the perpetrator, this defense challenges the evidence linking them to the crime.
• Violation of Constitutional Rights: If law enforcement violated the defendant’s rights (e.g., illegal search and seizure, coerced confession), evidence may be excluded from the trial, potentially weakening the prosecution's case.

Each defense requires solid evidence and legal strategy, so attorneys typically tailor these arguments to the specific circumstances of the case.