What is Second-Degree Manslaughter?
4 years ago by Justin M. Schiks
Second-degree manslaughter charges in Minnesota are serious and can lead to fines of several thousands of dollars and years in prison. These charges apply to particular circumstances. If you are facing these charges, an experienced Woodbury manslaughter attorney can help you through this difficult time.
Murder charges are one of the most serious charges any American can face. However, under the law, not all murders are the same. There are many degrees or levels of murder charges. Different situations, motivations, and manners of death will dictate what type of murder charges an alleged perpetrator might face. If you are facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, you need the expertise of a knowledgeable Woodbury manslaughter lawyer.
Defining Second-Degree Manslaughter
To be charged with second-degree manslaughter in Minnesota, you must be suspected of causing a death in any of the following ways:
- Creating an unreasonable risk and knowingly taking chances of causing death or great bodily harm
- Shooting an individual with a gun or other dangerous weapon as a result of neglectfully mistaking the individual to be a deer or other animal
- Deliberately setting up a spring gun, pitfall, deadfall, snare, or other like dangerous weapon or device
- Negligently or purposely allowing an animal known by the person to have vicious tendencies or to have previously caused substantial bodily harm, to be free of the owner’s property, or negligently failing to keep it adequately confined
- Committing or attempting to commit neglect or endangerment of a child, and murder in the first, second, or third-degree is not committed
Under Minnesota law, a conviction of second-degree manslaughter can result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $20,000.
Defenses for Second-Degree Manslaughter
When you hire an experienced Woodbury manslaughter lawyer, they will carefully examine every aspect of your case to determine what type of strategies could be used in your defense. The specific defenses that might apply in your case will depend on the details of your case. Some defenses can be used in an attempt to completely exonerate you of the charges, and others can decrease your degree of culpability.
Keep in mind that there is no statute of limitations on manslaughter in Minnesota. You can be charged with these crime years or even decades after the related incident took place. It doesn’t matter how long you have been running or in hiding, or how virtuously you have lived your life since the incident. You can still receive just as harsh of a sentence as if the second-degree manslaughter was committed yesterday.
Get Trustworthy Representation from a Woodbury Manslaughter Lawyer
Without a skilled attorney on your side, the outcome of your second-degree manslaughter charges can be less than ideal. We can negotiate a plea deal or aggressively fight your case at trial. We provide representation for clients in many locations throughout Minnesota. Schedule your free consultation today with a trustworthy Woodbury criminal defense attorney at JS Defense, PA by calling (651) 968-9652 or contact us online. Help is only a phone call away.
