Columbus Ohio Murder Charges Defense Attorney

Murder Charges Attorney in Columbus Ohio

When it comes to causing the death of another, not all crimes are created equal. In Ohio, we have six criminal statutes related to causing the death of another. They range from Aggravated Murder down to Negligent Homicide. All of the different terms can be confusing, so let’s walk through what each of them means.

Ohio Murder Charges Degrees of Culpability

First, it is important to understand the different degrees of culpability required for violations of these statutes. Each statute will prescribe one of these levels of culpability which describes the conduct required to be convicted of the crime: Purposely, Knowingly, Recklessly, and Negligently.

Knowingly

A person acts knowingly, regardless of purpose, when the person is aware that the person’s conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably be of a certain nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when the person is aware that such circumstances probably exist.

Recklessly

A person acts recklessly when, with heedless indifference to the consequences, the person disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the person’s conduct is likely to cause a certain result or is likely to be of a certain nature. A person is reckless with respect to the circumstances when, with heedless indifference to the consequences, the person disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that such circumstances are likely to exist.

Negligently

A person acts negligently when, because of a substantial lapse from due care, the person fails to perceive or avoid a risk that the person’s conduct may cause a certain result or may be of a certain nature. A person is negligent with respect to circumstances when, because of a substantial lapse from due care, the person fails to perceive or avoid a risk that such circumstances may exist.

Reckless Homicide

Reckless Homicide is a violation of the Ohio Revised Code §2903.041

Ohio Murder Charges Statutes

Murder Charges in Columbus & Throughout Ohio

Now that the different degrees of culpability are understood, let’s look at the different statutes.

Aggravated Murder

Aggravated Murder, a violation of the Ohio Revised Code 2903.01
Aggravated Murder is a serious charge where no person shall purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy. This can occur while committing or fleeing immediately after a kidnapping, rape, aggravated arson, arson, aggravated robbery, robbery, aggravated burglary as well. Whoever violates this section is guilty of aggravated murder, and shall be punished as provided in section 02of the Revised Code.

Murder

- Murder, a violation of the Ohio Revised Code 2903.02
- Murder is a serious charge where no person shall purposely cause the death of another, the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy, or as a proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit an offense of violence that is a felony of the first or second degree and that is not a violation of section 03or 2903.04 of the Revised Code. Whoever violates this section is guilty of murder, and shall be punished as provided in section 2929.02 of the Revised Code.

Voluntary Manslaughter

Voluntary Manslaughter, a violation of the Ohio Revised Code 2903.03
Voluntary Manslaughter is a serious charge where no person, while under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage, either of which is brought on by serious provocation occasioned by the victim that is reasonably sufficient to incite the person into using deadly force, shall knowingly cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy. Whoever violates this section is guilty of voluntary manslaughter, a felony of the first degree.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary Manslaughter a violation of the Ohio Revised Code §2903.04
Involuntary Manslaughter a violation of the Ohio Revised Code §2903.04
No person shall cause the death of another or the unlawful termination of another’s pregnancy as a proximate result of the offender’s committing or attempting to commit a felony. Further, a person is also guilty of involuntary manslaughter if they cause the death of another as a proximate result of committing or attempting to commit a misdemeanor of any degree or a regulatory offense.

Reckless Homicide

Reckless Homicide is a violation of the Ohio Revised Code §2903.041

Negligent Homicide

Negligent Homicide is a violation of the Ohio Revised Code §2903.05

Facing Murder Charges in Ohio

There are valid legal defense strategies that can be used against murder charges in Ohio. These are fact-dependent and are best discussed with a licensed criminal defense attorney. Call attorney Joseph Edwards for a free, no-nonsense phone consultation today at (614) 826-6906.