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Murder, Homicide & Manslaughter

At DJMS, our team of expert criminal solicitors regularly act for clients accused of the most serious criminal offences: murder, homicide and manslaughter.

Murder

What is murder?

Murder is the killing of one person by another. The person accused must be sane and must have intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

What are the defences to murder?

There is only one complete defence to a murder charge, which is when the accused was acting in self-defence. There are several partial defences to a murder charge, including diminished responsibility and provocation. The effect of a partial defence is to reduce the offence from murder to voluntary manslaughter.

What is the sentence for murder?

Murder carries a mandatory life sentence. The Judge can decide on the minimum term the offender must serve before being considered for release. If released, the offender will spend the rest of their life on licence, meaning they will still serve their life sentence but will do so in the community instead of in prison.

Homicide

What is homicide?

Homicide is the killing of one individual by another. The most common homicide offences are murder and manslaughter, but others include:

Infanticide – When a biological mother kills her baby within 12 months of birth.
Corporate manslaughter – When companies and other organisations cause someone’s death through serious management failings.

What are the defences to homicide?

The defences to homicide vary depending on the offence in question. For example, it is a defence to a murder charge to prove that you acted in self-defence.

What is the sentence for homicide?

The sentence for homicide depends on the offence committed. For example, a mother found guilty of infanticide may receive a maximum life sentence. In reality, though, most infanticide cases result in a non-custodial sentence, such as a hospital order.

Manslaughter

What is manslaughter?

Manslaughter is when one individual kills another in circumstances that mean they are not guilty of murder. There are two main types of manslaughter: involuntary and voluntary.

What is involuntary manslaughter?

Involuntary manslaughter is when the accused did not intend to kill or cause grievous bodily harm to the victim. Instead, the death came about by the accused’s recklessness or gross negligence. For example, a driver who knocks over and kills a pedestrian when drunk may be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

What is voluntary manslaughter?

Voluntary manslaughter is when the accused’s actions amounted to murder, but they have one of three special defences. Those special defences are loss of control, diminished responsibility, and a suicide pact. For example, if the accused killed the victim as part of a suicide pact but survived, they might be charged with voluntary manslaughter.

What is the sentence for manslaughter?

Unlike murder, manslaughter does not carry a mandatory life sentence. While a Judge can impose a life sentence if they see fit, they can also impose other sentences, such as:

A period of imprisonment
A suspended sentence
A community sentence

What are the defences to manslaughter?

There are several different types of manslaughter, and the defences available depend on the offence involved. For example, if you are charged with gross negligence manslaughter, you may be able to defend the charges on the basis that your actions did not directly cause the victim’s death.

How can DJMS help?

Being charged with offences as serious as murder and manslaughter is a distressing, lonely experience, but we are on your side. We understand the urgency of such matters and will take swift, decisive action to protect your position. We have decades of experience representing clients, including youth offenders and those with mental health issues, facing the most severe charges. Our experienced team is available 24/7 to help at every stage of a prosecution, from before the arrest, to the police interview under caution and all the way to the Crown Court trial.

Each case is unique, and a conviction relies on the Crown Prosecution Service presenting an incredibly strong case to prove your guilt. They will invariably have collated vast quantities of complex evidence in their bid to do so, including post-mortem reports, DNA, CCTV, mobile phone records, forensic reports and witness testimony. You need specialist criminal lawyers experienced in the most serious of cases to sift through the prosecution’s case, looking for anomalies that defeat or weaken their position, and giving you the best possible chance at trial.

Successfully defending a murder or manslaughter charge requires robust evidence, including expert opinions, witness testimonies, and forensic evidence. Our specialist team of criminal lawyers will quickly gather everything relevant and piece it together to prepare the most robust defence possible.

DJMS Solicitors can help – get in touch

Given the gravity of homicide, murder, and manslaughter cases, prompt legal advice is essential. We are on hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide the support and guidance you need, no matter how serious or complex the charge.

For more information or if you or a loved one require urgent representation, please contact DJMS’ specialist team.