Goldsboro Murder Defense Attorney

Experienced and Aggressive Defenders Fighting for You in Trial

One of the most serious violent crimes you could be accused of in Goldsboro is murder. The penalties upon conviction could be as severe as life in prison, so it is critical that you enlist a skilled and experienced attorney on your side to defend you against wrongful or harsh accusations. Our murder defense lawyers at Strickland Agner Pittman are well-versed in North Carolina’s murder laws and criminal justice system, and we will take out all the aggression on the prosecution. We also understand how overwhelmed you may feel in the face of these accusations, and we will treat your case with respect as we strategize an effective defense for mitigated charges, dismissal, or a plea deal that meets your interests.

We will not let a murder charge get the best of you without putting up an assertive legal fight. Contact Strickland Agner Pittman to get started on your defense today.

First-Degree Murder

First-degree murder is the most severe homicide charge in North Carolina. Also known as “premeditated murder,” first-degree murder is legally defined as causing the death of another person in any of the following ways:

• by poison, lying in wait, imprisonment, starving, torture, or any other kind of willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing;
• by using a weapon of mass destruction;
• while committing or attempting to commit arson, a sex offense, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, or any other felony involving the use of a deadly weapon.

First-degree murder is a Class A felony punishable by the death penalty (via lethal injection) or life in prison without parole, depending on the case. 

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder is an intentional killing with malice that was not premeditated. Broadly speaking, all murders not charged as first-degree murder will be charged as second-degree murder. Examples of second-degree murder include:

• murder resulting from the intent to cause serious harm;
• murder committed on impulse with malice aforethought;
• murder that shows a disregard for human life.

Second-degree murder will be charged as either a B1 felony punishable by 144 months to life in prison or a Class B2 felony punishable by 94-393 months in prison if the element of malice in the offense is based on recklessness or the murder was part of a drug distribution crime.

Our murder defense attorneys at Strickland Agner Pittman can take a closer look at your case to determine your most viable defense options. We are not afraid to fight for you in court, and we also know when to back down to resolve the case in a plea deal that better meets your interests. Whether you have been accused of first-degree murder or second-degree murder, you can trust that we will do our best to assert your defense and help you obtain as favorable an outcome as possible.

Do not hesitate to contact Strickland Agner Pittman today to discuss your murder defense options in detail.

Defenses Against Murder Charges

If you have been accused of murder, it is imperative that you consult an experienced murder defense lawyer to explore all your legal options. Common defenses against murder include:

• Self-defense
• Mistaken identity (you were wrongly identified as the alleged murderer)
• Insanity
• Innocence

In the case of first-degree murder, you may be able to argue your charges down to voluntary manslaughter if you prove that the killing was committed in the “heat of passion.”