Murder

There are a variety of different types of murder charges under Maryland law, and each of these charges requires that the state prove specific elements.  Regardless of which degree you or a loved one is charged with, it is absolutely necessary to retain a skilled and experienced attorney to take on the government.  And you should never wait until charges are formally filed to contact counsel.  The state will already have a head start in preparing their case, and the longer you wait to retain counsel the riskier it becomes for the defense.  Police detectives often obtain a large portion of their evidence from speaking with the defendant, and they will be relentless in trying to secure an interview on their own terms.  It is easier said than done to tell an officer that you are not willing to talk, and without a lawyer, police feel like they can take advantage of any suspect to get what they want.  Unfortunately this often leads to false confessions, and innocent people being charged with the most serious crime on the books.  Do not speak to the police without representation, even if you are sure that you are innocent!   The criminal defense attorneys at The Herbst Firm will never let their clients be subject to an unlawful police interrogation.  We know the tactics that police use, and we are ready to stop them in their tracks.  The stakes simply do not get any higher in defending a murder case, and life and liberty are always at stake the second a person is charged with this crime.

Homicide and murder are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same.  Homicide is the killing of one human being by another, and it can be either felonious or innocent.  Innocent homicide is not a crime, and occurs when there is a legal justification or excuse for the killing.  If there is not a justification or an excuse then this killing is unlawful and a murder charge will result.  Oftentimes it is not entirely clear whether the killing is justified, and unfortunately in these situations the police tend to recommend charges just to cover their backs.  Sadly it is much easier for police to let the court system decide the outcome of a case, then to close an investigation without filing charges.  We have seen numerous murder cases where the defendant should have never been charged in the first place.  Even if these cases are ultimately dismissed, the defendants are never given the justice they deserve.  This is all the more reason why it is so important to hire a lawyer before charges are filed.  It can take months and even years to defend a murder case in the court system, but an aggressive lawyer will do whatever it takes to keep the case out of court.  The Herbst Firm is standing by to provide aggressive and skilled representation to any defendant charged with the crimes under the Maryland homicide statute.  Whether it be murder, attempted murder, or manslaughter, we are available 24 hours a day to discuss your case.  Call the firm directly at 410-207-2598 or fill out the contact form to speak with a defense lawyer today.