Second-degree murder charges are serious matters that must be addressed in an appropriate manner by the defense team. There are several options that you have for your defense strategy if you are facing this charge. You should review the ones that apply to your case carefully so that you can set the strategy that you want.
The most common option in these cases is the claim of innocence. In this case, you will need to show that you didn’t commit the murder. This can be done by presenting a solid alibi or by poking holes in the prosecution’s claims.
If you admit that you did kill someone, you might look into using an affirmative defense. There are several options that fall under this umbrella. You might claim insanity, which might not remove all responsibility that you face. This is rather difficult to prove so it isn’t used very often.
Another affirmative defense that some individuals use is that you did the crime in self-defense. There are several elements that you have to prove if you are going to do this. These include that you had the right to be in the location where the crime happened and that you did it in the heat of the moment. You can’t have provoked the person you killed.
No matter what type of defense for the killing you will present, make sure that you consider how it might be perceived. You want the jury to see your side of the matter or at least seriously question the prosecution’s side. Being able to do this might result in you being found not guilty of the charges against you.
