PG County Homicide Lawyer
PG County Homicide Lawyer

Maryland Murder Lawyer

Our experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyers At Jezic & Moyse, LLC, will aggressively search for every conceivable avenue of defense to beat your criminal charge.

Too many criminal defense lawyers begin talk of a plea bargain too soon when they hear of a confession or other incriminating evidence against their client. Our Maryland criminal defense team does not give in until the last bit of aggressive defense strategy is exhausted.

If there is an unusual, technical defense to your charges, our Maryland criminal defense lawyers will find it. If there is a creative way for you to avoid the normal punishment for a given set of circumstances, we will find it. (See client testimonials).

Our lawyers are in court everyday in Maryland defending the accused and fighting for the best possible result in every case.

Murder Cases Litigated by Jezic & Moyse

Successful self-defense claim leads to complete acquittal for teen charged with murder

Client found not criminally responsible for murder of stepfather

Jury acquits Laurel man in 2021 murder at Severn party

Howard County jury clears father for killing son in self defense (WMAR Baltimore)

Client found not guilty in murder of F.B.I agent

Client found not guilty for first and second degree murder

Murder charges dropped in Prince George's County nightclub slaying

Complete acquittal in Annapolis murder case for O’Neill and Jezic client, an Air Force Sergeant

Army Ranger murder case ends with no jail time after 8.5 years

Murder charges dropped in fatal stabbing

Homicide charges dismissed after nearly two decades

Montgomery County man found not guilty of manslaughter

Teenager Is Released After Establishing Alibi

 

Army Ranger found not guilty of Second Degree Murder

Degrees of Murder in Maryland

Homicide and manslaughter are some of the most serious criminal offenses and have the most severe personal and legal consequences. In Maryland, the killing of another human being is broken up into three categories: first degree murder, second degree murder, and manslaughter. Each offense is a felony under state law.

First Degree Murder:

This type of murder is a willful, premeditated and deliberate killing of a human being. It can be committed a number of ways; lying in wait, poisoning, arson, during burglary, armed or unarmed carjacking, escape from a correctional facility, kidnapping, mayhem, rape, robbery, first or second degree sexual assault, or sodomy. Also, manslaughter is a killing in self defense, which is unreasonable, but if the suspect honestly belief the murder was necessary to save himself from an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. If self-defense occurs in the home, there is no duty for the suspect to retreat. Those convicted of first degree murder may face up to life in prison, with or without the possibility of parole.

However, prosecutors are no longer permitted to seek the death penalty. Attempted first degree murder receives the same treatment, though the victim was not killed.

Second Degree Murder:

MD Murder Charge LawyerSecond degree murder is defined as any murder that does not qualify as first degree. In other words, any murder that is not considered willful, premeditated or deliberate. Defendants can face up to 40 years in prison. Those convicted of attempted second degree murder face the same penalties.

If the murder is committed during the commission of a separate felony that is considered inherently dangerous and the victim dies as a result, a person may be charged with second degree murder whether or not they had the intent to kill the victim.

Manslaughter:

Manslaughter is the killing of a human being without malice aforethought, unlike first and second degree murder. For instance, an accidental shooting might be charged as involuntary manslaughter. Those convicted may face up to ten years in prison.

The penalties for manslaughter by motor vehicle or vessel are similar, with fines up to $5,000 and up to ten years imprisonment, or both.

Given the gravity of the offenses and the impact they can have on your life, if you are faced with such charges, you should contact the best Maryland murder lawyer to help protect you both personally and legally, and to help beat the charges.

Homicide/manslaughter by vehicle or vessel

Vehicular homicide is usually the result of when an operator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, another person is killed due to their actions. Drunk driving is the most common case of this offense, due to the driver’s negligent operation of their vehicle. The state of Maryland has four different statutes defining vehicular homicide, including:

  • Vehicular Homicide While Under the Influence Of Alcohol (Code 2-503)
  • Vehicular Homicide While Impaired by Alcohol (Code 2-504)
  • Vehicular Homicide While Impaired by Drugs (Code 2-505)
  • Vehicular Homicide While Impaired by a Controlled Substance (Code 2-506)

Vehicular manslaughter occurs when an individual causes the death of another person due to gross or criminal negligence. The distinction between the two is determined by the degree of awareness of the vehicle operator. With gross negligence, the defendant is aware of their risky behavior, and acts with disregard for human life. Criminal negligence occurs when the defendant should have been aware that their behavior puts lives at risk, but failed to see it this way.

Penalties for vehicular homicide/manslaughter

The penalties handed down by the Maryland court system for homicide/manslaughter will vary depending on the crime committed, and the degree of fault of the defendant. Here are the maximum penalties for each offense: 

  • Manslaughter: Felony crime that can result in up to 10 years in prison and a $500 fine 
  • Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence: Felony crime that can result in up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine
  • Vehicular manslaughter with criminal negligence: Misdemeanor crime that can result in up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine
  • Vehicular homicide under the influence of alcohol: Felony crime that can result in up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine
  • Vehicular homicide while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a controlled substance: Felony crime that can result in up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine

If you face one or more of these charges it is crucial that you contact the best murder lawyer in Maryland as soon as possible in order to protect your rights.

For a greater explanation of Maryland homicide laws you can read the Maryland Official Code.

Selected as one of area's top lawyers in SUPERLAWYERS & The WASHINGTONIAN!

Andrew V. Jezic

Super Lawyers magazine has recognized Mr. Jezic as one of the best 10 lawyers in all of Maryland for three years in a row, 2022, 2023, and 2024. From 2011 to 2022, Mr Andrew Jezic was selected to the very exclusive list of best criminal lawyers by Washingtonian magazine. Mr. Jezic’s wins in high-profile criminal cases have been featured in many news articles and on national TV shows, including Dateline NBC, Dr. Oz, the Tucker Carlson show, and the Capital Gazette. In 2022, in a First Degree Murder case, a jury in Anne Arundel County found Mr. Jezic’s client Not Guilty of all charges after a two-week trial.

In 2017 Mr. Jezic was honored as one of the “Most Influential Marylanders” by the Daily Record, Maryland’s preeminent legal and business newspaper. Mr. Jezic is a past president of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association. Mr. Jezic has received nearly 100 percent of very positive reviews from scores of clients.

Reviews of Jury Trial Wins
Google Reviews
Avvo Reviews

Criminal Defense Attorney Andrew V. Jezic
Criminal Defense Attorney David H. Moyse

DAVID H. MOYSE

Rockville Criminal defense lawyer David H. Moyse currently serves as co-chair of the Montgomery County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Section. In 2022, Mr. Moyse won acquittals on two homicide cases.

Since forming Jezic & Moyse as a founding partner in 2008, he has received several notable recognitions. They include being named to SuperLawyers since 2013, and the Washingtonian magazine’s Top Lawyers list from 2017 to 2023. Mr. Moyse has received nearly 100 percent of glowing reviews from clients.

Google Reviews
Avvo Reviews

Testimonials


    Email us

    inquiries@jezicfirm.com

    How we can help

    Our experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyers At Jezic & Moyse, LLC, will aggressively search for every conceivable avenue of defense to beat your criminal charge.

    Call us 8am - Midnight Weekdays
    9 am to 9 pm Weekends

    Or fill out the form to receive a free and confidential consultation.

    Scroll to Top