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Not only are you an excellent attorney, but a good person who truly cared about me and always did your best to help me. I am so grateful for being given a second chance. —TomDave Shrager successfully lobbied for my felony charge to be completely withdrawn. His services were worth every dime. A highly personable, intelligent, and competent attorney, I would recommend Dave Shrager to my closest friends and family without hesitation. —RonDave knows the system better than any lawyer in Pittsburgh due to his family's local and long-standing practice, and it was evident in the positive manner in which the judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers responded to Dave's arguments on my behalf. —JimI cannot say thank you enough to David Shrager for all his help today! If it were not for this guy, I would no longer have a job or drivers license. So thanks again Dave, you're the best! —BillI was in a bad place in my life...I was making bad decisions, which led to my having a really bad night and lots of legal trouble. I'm lucky I had Attorney David Shrager at my side. He helped guide me, with his legal expertise, through a very difficult time in my life. —Tamika
Call 412-969-2540 to Speak Directly with Attorney David Shrager 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

Pittsburgh Homicide Defense Attorney / Manslaughter Lawyer

When you or a loved one has been charged with homicide you face an uncertain future, one that can be very scary. Your life, your freedom, your rights and your reputation are all on the line.

A murder or manslaughter conviction, depending on the degree, could put you in prison for life, or worse, put you on death row. Involuntary manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter are punishable by two and half to five years in prison.

But being charged with homicide or manslaughter is not the same as a conviction. You still have rights until you are proven guilty and one of those rights is to an attorney who can help you prepare a strong case to defend your freedom.

Attorney David J. Shrager is a caring and compassionate homicide attorney, who has won several high-profile homicide cases in the Pittsburgh region. He is aggressive in defending his clients’ rights and will take the time to fully understand your circumstances so he can fiercely attack your charges and fight for your rights.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS – PITTSBURGH HOMICIDE ATTORNEYS

The circumstances surrounding a serious crime like homicide are always unique. It is the job of your defense attorney to fully investigate your case and understand your situation in order to prepare a solid defense.

Hiring an experienced attorney who cares about you and your family and who will work hard to defend your rights and fight for your freedom is paramount to winning your case or lessening your charges.

Shrager Defense Attorneys handles the following types of homicide charges:

  • First Degree Murder
  • Second Degree Murder
  • Third Degree Murder
  • Voluntary Manslaughter
  • Involuntary Manslaughter
  • Attempted Homicide / Conspiracy to Commit Murder
  • Vehicular Homicide / Homicide by DUI
  • Drug Delivery Resulting in Death
  • Causing or Aiding Suicide
  • Death Penalty Convictions

David J. Shrager has the experience and knowledge of the courts and legal system in order to prepare a strategy that has the best probability of winning your case or having your charges dismissed.

Attorney Shrager is willing to negotiate or go to trial, depending on your situation and what you and your family agree is best after having a full understanding of your rights.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

HOMICIDE: DEFINITIONS, CHARGES AND SENTENCING IN PENNSYLVANIA

First Degree Murder

When an intentional killing is carried out it is considered a first-degree murder. This is the only type of murder punishable by the death penalty.

A first degree murder conviction is punishable by either mandatory life imprisonment or death. It also is punishable by a maximum $50,000 fine.

Second Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is defined by someone acting out a killing or being an accomplice to a killing while engaging in another felony.

A second degree murder conviction is punishable by a mandatory life term in prison. It is also punishable by a maximum $50,000 fine.

Third Degree Murder

All other kinds of murder fall into third-degree murder. It is a first-degree felony and is punishable by 20 to 40 years in prison. Also punishable by a maximum $50,000 fine.

Voluntary Manslaughter

If a person kills a human being with no prior intent and acted in “the heat of passion”, among other circumstances, this is voluntary manslaughter.

Voluntary manslaughter is a first-degree felony and is punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and a maximum $25,000 fine.

Involuntary Manslaughter

This typically refers to an unintentional killing of a human being caused by recklessness or criminal negligence or during the course of committing another crime such as DUI.

If the victim of involuntary manslaughter was either a law enforcement officer or a child under the age of 12, sentencing is from five to 10 years and includes a fine of up to $25,000. Otherwise, sentencing is from two years and six months up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

PROVING GUILT IN PENNSYLVANIA HOMICIDE CASES

A person charged with murder is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The “burden of proof” is on the prosecutor who must prove criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt in order to get a conviction.

A skilled defense attorney can counter the prosecutor’s evidence and theories by raising doubts as to the identity of the alleged murderer, motives, circumstantial evidence and other tangible evidence.

As an alleged homicide defendant, you have several rights. These include the right to examine and challenge any evidence brought against you, such as a weapon, motives and even the body. A skilled defense attorney will move to suppress evidence or have it excluded completely.

A strong and aggressive homicide defense attorney will fight to have your charges reduced or the case dismissed. Having charges reduced could mean avoiding decades in prison.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR HOMICIDE
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

DEFENSES AGAINST HOMICIDE CHARGES

Oftentimes murder is not a crime, for instance, if someone kills another person by acting in self-defense. It is also not illegal to kill a person unintentionally if not engaged in reckless behavior at the time of the accident.

Pleading insanity is another defense that can greatly reduce sentencing and keep defendants out of prison. Many people suffer mental health problems and may not have been in a normal state of mind when the incident occurred.

In the case of vehicular manslaughter, a person may not have actually been at fault during an accident.

In addition, there are many instances where the police could have made an unlawful arrest, whereby, if proven, your case could be dismissed entirely.

Whatever is the case for your unique circumstances, our Pittsburgh homicide attorneys will work hard to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument in order to have your sentencing reduced or your charges dropped and the trial acquitted.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

NO HOMICIDE CASE IS EVER HOPELESS

In many instances people charged with murder feel great shame and guilt, even though the person’s death may not have been directly their fault. They may confess to a murder charge under stress even though it may have happened in self-defense or by accident.

Even so, you still have several rights until you are convicted. A good criminal lawyer is going to fight your charges and protect your rights.

Attorney David J. Shrager is a compassionate lawyer who sincerely cares about every one of his clients and their families. He understands that good people make mistakes and that everyone has a right to protect their freedoms.

Attorney Shrager will thoroughly investigate every piece of evidence and how law enforcement officers handled your arrest and investigation. He will do everything he can to keep you out of prison and have your charges dropped or reduced.

Consultations are free. Call Attorney Shrager today — he will personally return your call.

_______________________________________________
BEING CHARGED FOR MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER
DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.

CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________

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FREE Legal Consultation

Call or Text 412-969-2540 right now for a FREE initial legal consultation.
Speak directly with David J. Shrager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shrager Defense Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA will attack your criminal charges in order to protect your good name. Have a sound and solid case prepared by David J. Shrager and his legal team so they can fight for your rights.