New York Murder/Manslaughter and Violent Crime Lawyers

Santana Law Firm is a leading New York City criminal law firm representing individuals charged with homicide, manslaughter, and other violent crimes. Our lawyers have more than two decades of experience assisting people facing serious felony and misdemeanor charges in New York State.

Violent crimes carry some of the most severe punishments in the legal system. Many of these crimes are charged as felonies with minimum sentences of several years up to life in prison. A wrongful accusation can have a devastating impact on your reputation, and those convicted may pay significant fines, lose their job, have a permanent criminal record, and face a considerable term of incarceration.

That said, you don’t lose your rights just because you’ve been accused of a crime. You are entitled to fair treatment, a presumption of innocence, and competent legal counsel. With the help of an experienced defense lawyer, there is always a way to defend yourself against criminal charges.

Santana Law Firm has taken on the toughest cases in New York, first as Brooklyn prosecutors and now as defense attorneys. With a deep understanding of how the DA’s office operates, we know how to best position you to beat criminal charges. You have the right to a fair trial—preserve that right by choosing a skilled lawyer.

Possible Sentences for Murder and Violent Crime in NY

Most violent crimes are felonies that come with serious penalties as harsh as life in prison. Less serious violent crimes may be charged as misdemeanors, but even these can have a significant impact on your life. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you may face up to one year in jail, probation, fines, and a permanent criminal record.

Many violent felonies come with what is known as “determinate” sentences. This means that if you are convicted of a particular crime, the judge must sentence you to a fixed minimum sentence and you must serve all of it. The sentence can be increased but it can never be reduced, even for good behavior.

Determinate sentences also take into account your prior criminal record. For example, if person 1 has no prior felonies and they are convicted of a class B violent felony, they must receive a minimum 5-year sentence. If person 2 is charged with the same crime but they have been convicted of a violent felony before, they must receive a minimum 10-year sentence. This holds true even if person 1 and person 2 are convicted of the exact same crime.

The typical sentences for violent felonies include:

• Murder: 20 years to life imprisonment without parole
• Predatory Sexual Assault: 10 years to life imprisonment
• Class B Violent Felony: 5 to 25 years in prison
• Class C Violent Felony: 3.5 to 15 years in prison
• Class D Violent Felony: 2 to 7 years in prison

Note that these sentences may or may not apply to your specific case. To understand the potential sentence you are facing, the best thing you can do is talk to an experienced NYC criminal defense lawyer. A good lawyer will not only be able to explain your charges, but they will take steps to minimize any negative outcome.

Defenses Against Violent Felony Charges

Despite determinate sentences, do not think your case is hopeless. There is a defense to every charge, and a skilled lawyer will have strategies to reduce the impact of your arrest, minimize jail time, or eliminate your charges completely.

These defenses may always not get charges dropped entirely, but they frequently reduce the possible sentence and make it very difficult for the prosecution to present their case against. Remember: in a criminal case, if there is reasonable doubt, you cannot be convicted.