Causing the death of another person is always a serious crime, even if you acted in self-defense.
If you’ve been charged with 1st degree manslaughter in Oklahoma, you may be facing a felony conviction and several years in prison.
For this reason, you should absolutely contact a Muskogee criminal defense attorney if you’ve been accused of this crime.
Defining Manslaughter
Homicide in Oklahoma is classified as either murder, manslaughter, excusable homicide, or justifiable homicide.
Under each classification, the prosecutor must present evidence that the defendant’s conduct met each element of the accused crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Manslaughter is, generally, defined as any killing that is not murder, excusable homicide, or justifiable homicide.
A case of 1st degree manslaughter in Oklahoma, however, occurs under the following circumstances:
- When another is accidentally killed by the defendant while he was engaged in the commission of a misdemeanor crime. For example, if a defendant accidentally killed the victim was he was also stalking her, this would be considered manslaughter in the first degree.
- When the defendant accidentally killed another person in a heat of passion, but in a cruel and unusual manner, or by means of a dangerous weapon. For example, if a defendant walked in on his wife sleeping with another man and, without thought, killed them with an axe, he may be charged with 1st degree manslaughter in Oklahoma.
- When the defendant unnecessarily killed someone he attempted to commit a crime against, or after such attempt shall have failed. Consider a defendant who attempted to rob the victim and the victim resisted the robbery. If the defendant killed the victim while he resisted the robbery, this would be considered manslaughter in the first degree.
Penalty for 1st Degree Manslaughter in Oklahoma
Any person guilty of 1st degree manslaughter shall be guilty of a felony crime; this is punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for no less than four years.
Low-cost Consultation: Muskogee Manslaughter Defense Lawyer
A conviction of 1st degree manslaughter in Oklahoma can carry lengthy prison sentences and fines.
If you or someone you know is faced with this charge, contact an experienced Muskogee criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Call Wirth Law Office – Muskogee today at 918-913-0725 or toll free at 1-888-447-7262 [Wirth Law].
