{"id":352070,"date":"2023-10-26T15:35:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T20:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/first-degree-murder-defenses.html"},"modified":"2023-10-26T15:35:50","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T20:35:50","slug":"first-degree-murder-defenses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/first-degree-murder-defenses.html","title":{"rendered":"First Degree Murder Defenses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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First Degree Murder Defenses<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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There are possible defenses against first degree murder charges. Some of them focus on deficiencies in evidence and could lead to an acquittal. Others may lower the penalties or reduce the charges to second-degree murder or manslaughter.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

We’ve all heard the expression that someone “got away with murder.” It often comes up when a person seems to avoid punishment for misconduct. Similarly, during an infamous criminal case, people may wonder if the defense attorney will get the defendant “off.” In other words, can they beat the case?<\/p>\n

When a criminal defense lawyer signs up or gets an appointment to defend someone charged with first-degree murder, they must make the state prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The outcome of the case will affect a person’s life and liberty. Their defense may lead to a “not guilty” finding that allows their client to walk free. Often, it may result in consideration of other circumstances that bring about a just result. This includes a conviction for a lesser offense.<\/p>\n

This article discusses legal defenses that arise in first-degree murder cases. But a defense also depends on the specific facts of a case. Discuss your strategy with a criminal defense lawyer<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Is First Degree Murder?<\/h2>\n

Federal and state laws all contain the crime of\u00a0first-degree murder<\/a>. It represents the most serious crime in the law. Punishment can include:<\/p>\n