Murder

Experienced Murder Defense Lawyers in Alabama

When you face a murder or capital murder charge, the stakes could not be higher. Our Alabama-based team of murder defense lawyers protect your constitutional rights, including the right to a fair trial. Book your free consultation today.

How Early Legal Help Makes a Difference

When facing murder charges, your choice of legal representation impacts the outcome of your case. Our murder defense lawyers bring decades of combined experience. Trust us to build a defense that challenges every detail of the prosecution's case to secure your future.

The Types of Murder Cases We Take On

At JB Brown Criminal Trial Practice, we defend both murder and capital murder charges. Everything hangs in the balance, including your livelihood and freedom. We are determined to provide you with the strongest defense possible.

These are the cases we’ve handled and won.

Understanding Capital Murder

Capital murder is the most severe homicide charge in Alabama. It consists of an intentional murder plus specific aggravating circumstances. In Alabama, certain scenarios elevate a murder charge to capital murder, including:

• Murder during a first-degree robbery or attempted robbery
• Murder during a first or second-degree burglary or attempted burglary
• Murder of a law enforcement officer (police officer, sheriff, deputy, state trooper, etc.)
• Murder where two or more persons are killed in a single act or course of conduct
• Murder of a victim under fourteen (14) years of age
• Murder committed using a deadly weapon while the victim is in a vehicle
• Murder committed using a deadly weapon fired from or within a vehicle

Recognizing the Elements of Murder

Someone commits murder if they take another’s life in one of the following situations.

Intentional Murder

A person intentionally harms and kills another.

Reckless Murder

Someone acts with extreme indifference to human life, and recklessly creates a grave risk of death, resulting in someone's death.

Felony Murder

While committing or attempting to commit another felony, someone causes the death of another person. Felonies include first or second-degree burglary, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, or aggravated child abuse.

Arson

Someone commits arson, resulting in the death of a firefighter or public safety officer performing their duties.

Death Penalty Cases

For a case to be eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors must prove at least one of fourteen aggravating circumstances. Death penalty cases follow a unique two-phase trial structure:

Phase 1: Guilt/Innocence

The jury determines whether the defendant is guilty of capital murder.

Phase 2: Penalty

If found guilty, the same jury hears additional evidence and decides between life without parole or the death penalty. Defense attorneys must present mitigating evidence demonstrating why the defendant's life should be spared.

Juvenile Offenders

If the defendant was a minor at the time of the offense, they cannot receive the death penalty. A judge may sentence them to life with the possibility of parole, rather than life without parole. An experienced criminal defense attorney could help you further.

If your child is charged with murder, we understand how devastating that must be for you and your family. We handle each juvenile case with compassion and privacy.

How Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Fight for You

Every case is unique. Our attorneys will develop a personalized defense strategy based on the circumstances of your case. Each tactic is meant to protect your rights and challenge prosecution claims early.

These are a couple of our murder defense strategies.

Mistaken Identity

We challenge eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence.

Lack of Intent

We demonstrate that the death resulted from an accident rather than intentional harm.

Constitutional Violations

We suppress any evidence obtained through unlawful searches, seizures, or interrogations.

Heat of Passion

This defense can reduce a murder charge to manslaughter if the defendant was provoked by a legally recognized cause, or acted before “cooling off”. *

Acted in Self-Defense

If possible, we argue that the death was in self-defense.

Stand Your Ground

In certain circumstances, Alabama recognizes the right to use force, including deadly force, in self-defense.

*Please note: A successful heat of passion defense still allows prosecution for manslaughter