Sweetwater County Homicide Defense Lawyers

Charged with Homicide in Wyoming? Let Our Trial Attorneys Defend You.

Homicide is a category of crime that involves the killing of another person. There are several types of homicide, including murder and manslaughter. Our lawyers at The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. are vastly experienced in courtroom litigation and will put up an aggressive defense for you against your accusations. Whether you have been accused of felony murder or voluntary manslaughter, we will strategize an innovative defense for you based on the unique circumstances of your case. We will not back down in the fight for your defense, and you can trust that we will put our best foot forward in court to argue for mitigated, if not dismissed, charges.

Schedule an initial consultation with The Law Offices of Hampton & Newman, L.C. to learn more. 

Types of Murder Offenses

There are two degrees of murder addressed under Wyoming law: First degree and second degree. First-degree murder is the purposeful and intentional killing of another person with “premeditated malice.”

Premeditated malice involves proving that:

• the killing was done intentionally without legal justification or any excuse; and
• the murder was committed after deliberation.

First-degree murder is punishable by death, life in prison, or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Second-degree murder is distinct from first-degree murder in that it is the killing of another person purposely and maliciously but without premeditation. Second-degree murder is punishable by at least 20 years in prison and up to life in prison.

Wyoming also criminalizes felony murder, which is the killing of another person, whether intentionally or accidentally, in the commission of another felony, such as sexual assault, burglary, or robbery. Felony murder carries the same penalties as first-degree murder – death, life in prison, or life in prison without parole.

Voluntary & Involuntary Manslaughter

Another category of homicide is manslaughter, which is a level lower in severity than murder. Manslaughter generally refers to the unlawful killing of another person without malice that occurs either under the heat of passion or recklessness. 

There are two types of manslaughter categorized under Wyoming law:

• Voluntary manslaughter: Manslaughter that occurs in a heat of passion (e.g., due to provocation)
• Involuntary manslaughter: Manslaughter with a lack of intent to harm or kill

Manslaughter is a felony crime punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison.