Moose Jaw Murder & Manslaughter Lawyer

Murder and manslaughter are some of the most serious criminal charges you can face. 

Innocence alone may not save you. When the Crown Prosecutors decided to charge you with murder or manslaughter they did so because they believed they could build a case against you. 

You need lawyers who will relentlessly look for every weak point in the case. Who will find every technicality. Who will find a way to exclude every bit of evidence against you they can get excluded. Who will hunt for exculpatory evidence and who will use that information to your advantage.

You need lawyers with the time, energy, skill, and savvy to make a true impact on the outcome of your case. Your future is at stake here.

What is considered manslaughter in Saskatchewan?

A manslaughter charge occurs when someone commits an unlawful act or an act of criminal negligence and kills someone as a result. They may not intend to cause a death, but death was the result of their actions.

A person can also be convicted of manslaughter if they willfully frightened a child or a sick person in a way that resulted in their death, or used threats or deception to cause someone else’s death. 

Some murder charges can be bargained down to manslaughter charges in some cases. These are cases where the actual mindset of the perpetrator can make the difference. Since mindset is very difficult to prove this can be an option in cases where the evidence is stacked against you. 

What is considered murder in Saskatchewan?

There are two types of murder: 1st and 2nd degree.

1st degree murder is planned and deliberate, or is a murder committed while committing another crime like sexual assault, kidnapping, or terrorism. You can also be convicted of 1st degree murder for killing a police officer, regardless of the reasons why it was done or whether it was planned.

A 2nd degree murder is a murder that doesn’t fit the criteria for first degree murder, but still involved an act designed to cause the death of another person, or bodily harm without care for whether the victim could die, or was meant to cause significant bodily harm. 

What is the penalty for murder and manslaughter in Saskatcehwan?

1st degree murder is punishable by life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 25 years. 2nd degree murder charges will receive a sentence of 10 to 25 years. Manslaughter charges can come with life sentences with a possibility of parole in 7 years, a 9 year sentence, or some other sentencing. Much will depend on the judge.

As you can see, even if an acquittal is not possible, having a lawyer who can talk your charges down might have a massive impact on your future.

Why Merchant Law?

Our experienced criminal lawyers aren’t content with taking your case at face value. We dig deep and go looking for ways to poke holes in the Crown’s case. The more holes we can find, the more options we create, up to and including the option to have you acquitted. 

Get the help you need. Call (306) 693-7777 today.