Portland, OR 503-265-8307
Homicide
Homicide Attorney in Portland & Hillsboro, OR
Retain Experience | Licensed Since 1995 | Complimentary Zoom, Skype or Phone Consultation
Retain Trust | Licensed Since 1995 | FREE Initial Consultation
A Thorough and Diligent Homicide Attorney
Receive top representation when you request assistance from a homicide defense attorney in Portland, OR, at The Law Office of Andrew M. Kohlmetz LLC. As a murder defense attorney, I offer criminal defense services for those facing extreme charges. Schedule a consultation today to utilize my guidance throughout the process.
Consult a Murder Defense Attorney
There are no more serious charges than those which result in the death of another human being. Even in the sausage grinder of state court, most courts will give the parties in homicide cases more than the typical 4-5 months to prepare their case. Oftentimes, in homicide cases, it is the intent of the person charged that is of paramount importance. Unlike on TV, most homicide cases are not whodunnit cases. Usually, the parties are known, and it is the circumstances of the case and the intent of the defendant that are hotly disputed.
Every type of homicide, whether committed intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence has unique statutory and common law defenses. Self-defense is an often-raised defense in intentional and knowing homicides but would likely have no role in a case based on a reckless or negligent state of mind. Of course, whether someone acted recklessly or negligently is itself a fertile ground for defense investigation and argument as it can often depend on factual circumstances observed prior to or at the time of the incident. Cases of vehicular homicide often involve a forensic analysis of car or components thereof, as well as accident reconstruction and analysis.
Aggravated murder, murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide are the types of homicide under Oregon law. In Oregon, murder can be punished by 25 years to life in prison. Manslaughter in the first-degree is subject to a mandatory 120 months to a maximum of 240 months in prison while second-degree manslaughter carries a 75-month mandatory minimum up to a 120-month sentence. I do not accept representation in aggravated murder cases where the death penalty is an issue.
Criminally negligent homicide has no minimum sentence exposure and can be punished with up to 120 months. Most manslaughter charges arise out of vehicular accidents, often involving intoxicants or extreme behavior like racing. Oregon law also provides for aggravated vehicular homicide if the person charged was driving under the influence and has certain prior convictions. Murder charges usually arise in person-to-person conflicts not involving vehicles but weapons, such as guns or knives.
Forming Your Team
Homicide cases of any degree require a serious commitment of time and resources on both the part of the client and the criminal defense attorney. In all likelihood, a defense team will need to be put together. Such a team will typically consist of the attorney, a licensed investigator, a paralegal, and one or more expert consulting and perhaps testifying witnesses.
Contact me, Andrew M. Kohlmetz, to work with a defense lawyer for your homicide case. I am available to meet with clients in Portland, OR, and throughout the state.
Call now for your complimentary Zoom, Skype or phone consultation!
503-265-8307
The Law Office of Andrew M. Kohlmetz, LLC is a local, family-owned law firm!
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