If you are facing murder or manslaughter charges then you need the advice of someone you can trust, someone who can offer professional guidance that truly has your best interest at heart. The law office of Ron Ellis can help you take the proper steps to protect your freedom, starting this very minute.
Assault; Assault with a Weapon; Manslaughter; Murder – these are all very serious crimes with very serious consequences. We have the experience to help you navigate the complexities of these charges and the available defences.
Many weapons offences have very significant minimum jail sentences attached to them. It is crucial that you hire an experienced lawyer to assist you in defending such charges. Often times there are technical defences available to you that you are unaware of. Call me, I have the experience to help you.
Our team has the knowledge and extensive trial experience to explain the details of your case and outline your options moving forward. What makes us different from most firms is that we are here when you need us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have questions about your assault case and want to know the best way to proceed, then contact us now for a free consultation. It is vital that you receive a full and frank review of your case as soon as possible.
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FAQ: Murder and Manslaughter
Murder is the most serious offence in the Criminal Code. Murder is always an Indictable offence. From the moment a person is charged with murder, their case will be dealt with in the Superior Court. This includes bail.
To understand murder, one must first understand “Homicide”: Homicide is defined as the death of one person caused by another. Homicide can be either “culpable” (such as murder and manslaughter), or, non-culpable (such as an accident). “Murder can be classified as First Degree (where it is planned and deliberate), or, Second Degree (where there was no pre-planning). Often, an accused person is charged with First Degree murder and is convicted of the lesser offence of Second Degree murder, or, manslaughter.
The penalties for causing the death of another person cover a wide range. The minimum penalty for First and Second degree murder is life imprisonment. Manslaughter has no minimum penalty. The most significant difference between First and Second degree murders generally lies in parole eligibility. This concept is complicated and requires an in person consultation .
To understand murder, one must first understand “Homicide”: Homicide is defined as the death of one person caused by another. Homicide can be either “culpable” (such as murder and manslaughter), or, non-culpable (such as an accident). “Murder can be classified as First Degree (where it is planned and deliberate), or, Second Degree (where there was no pre-planning). Often, an accused person is charged with First Degree murder and is convicted of the lesser offence of Second Degree murder, or, manslaughter.
The penalties for causing the death of another person cover a wide range. The minimum penalty for First and Second degree murder is life imprisonment. Manslaughter has no minimum penalty. The most significant difference between First and Second degree murders generally lies in parole eligibility. This concept is complicated and requires an in person consultation .
If you intentionally cause somebody’s death, or, you meant to cause the person serious bodily injury and the person dies, then you are guilty of murder. The murder then is characterized as either first degree or second degree.
First degree murder is defined in one of two ways. Firstly, if you plan and deliberate about your actions. Meaning that you had some prior design or prior intention to cause death. Secondly, if you commit murder in the course of committing another crime. For example, if you are in the process of committing a sexual assault or committing a forcible confinement, or, if you have taken hostages, even if you did not mean to cause death when you began the process, but death occurs while you are committing one of these offenses, then you are guilty of first degree murder. An intentional killing that is not first degree murder then becomes second degree murder. But, you still need intention for second degree. Without intention, there is no murder.
Manslaughter is a death that occurs unintentionally, but through an intentional act - not including situations of self defence. If you have caused another person’s death, and you have done so unintentionally, you may be guilty of manslaughter. So, for example, if you intentionally drive your car into another person, and the person dies, even if you didn’t mean to kill the person, you are guilty of manslaughter.
First degree murder is defined in one of two ways. Firstly, if you plan and deliberate about your actions. Meaning that you had some prior design or prior intention to cause death. Secondly, if you commit murder in the course of committing another crime. For example, if you are in the process of committing a sexual assault or committing a forcible confinement, or, if you have taken hostages, even if you did not mean to cause death when you began the process, but death occurs while you are committing one of these offenses, then you are guilty of first degree murder. An intentional killing that is not first degree murder then becomes second degree murder. But, you still need intention for second degree. Without intention, there is no murder.
Manslaughter is a death that occurs unintentionally, but through an intentional act - not including situations of self defence. If you have caused another person’s death, and you have done so unintentionally, you may be guilty of manslaughter. So, for example, if you intentionally drive your car into another person, and the person dies, even if you didn’t mean to kill the person, you are guilty of manslaughter.
Our office is mainly focused on cases in London, Ontario and surrounding areas, although in some circumstances we have taken on cases outside of this area. Ron Ellis Law has assisted clients from coast to coast - travelling to British Columbia, Halifax and the far north to defend clients. We have also assisted clients in the United States and Europe. We are willing to travel to assist you. We will also defend clients who are publicly funded through Legal Aid Ontario. If you're interested in obtaining legal counsel from Ron Ellis Law please call our office and set up an appointment so we can review the specifics of your case.