Murder and Manslaughter

Murder and Manslaughter

If you have been charged with murder, attempted murder or manslaughter, you may be unsure about what to do next. It is our recommendation that you receive qualified legal advice from a specialist criminal lawyer who can case manage your matter professionally, while also providing effective advice as to your legal options. Choosing the wrong lawyer when facing a serious charge could mean losing your freedom for a very long time.

Our firm is able to effectively guide and represent clients who have been face serious charges. We are able to do this because we practice criminal law exclusively and rely on the best barristers to assist on serious matters. As a result, you should consider Brisbane Criminal Lawyers and take advantage of our free consultation.

Murder

Murder, also referred to as ‘homicide’ is defined as the unlawful killing of a person with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm to another person.

Case Study

In the matter of Plomp v R, the defendant had been charged for murdering his wife. The Crown was required to establish intention to prove the defendant’s guilt. The fact that the defendant’s wife had washed up on the beach was not sufficient to establish intention.

Relevant facts included that she was a strong swimmer and they were surfing together in water which was only waist deep, was regarded as circumstantial evidence. Her accidental drowning under these circumstances, although suspicious, it is not however enough to constitute guilt.

The Crown introduced additional evidence which showed that the defendant was having an affair with another woman, and had in fact introduced the woman to his children days prior to his wife’s death. In connection with the other relevant facts, this was sufficient to direct a jury to find the defendant guilty. As a result, the defendant was refused special leave to appeal the matter.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter is defined as the unlawful killing of another person without the intent to kill. Intention is an element required to prove murder, however it is not required for manslaughter. Manslaughter is often where someone kills another as a result of being careless, reckless or negligent. Manslaughter has a large range of involvement by an accused which reflected in the large range of sentencing which one may receive.

Our Approach

Brisbane Criminal Lawyers has represented people who have been charged with murder and manslaughter and delivered favourable outcomes in those cases. If you would be interested in obtaining a Free Consultation at Brisbane Criminal Lawyers, send us an email or call us on 1800 200 357.