Homicide Attorney in Miami

Confronting a Homicide Charge in Miami? Get Immediate Help & Trusted Defense

Being accused of homicide in Miami is overwhelming. The fear, confusion, and urgency you may feel right now are real. At Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A., we understand that your life, freedom, and future are at stake.

Drawing on decades of experience in Florida courts, we know what you are up against. Miami-Dade County’s justice system moves quickly, and the consequences of a homicide conviction are profound. We believe that everyone facing these charges deserves strategic, individualized, and compassionate legal defense.

Armando J. Hernandez, our lead attorney and a former Miami prosecutor, leads a boutique criminal defense team recognized for dedication, local insight, and results, twenty-four hours a day.

You need an aggressive Miami homicide defense lawyer immediately. At the Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A., we offer a free consultation and are available 24/7 to protect your rights—call (305) 400-0074 or fill out our contact form now.

Understanding Homicide Laws in Florida

In Florida, "homicide" is the broad legal term for the killing of one human being by another. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 782, homicide is divided into several distinct categories, ranging from justifiable acts to capital offenses.

• First-Degree Murder (§ 782.04): This is a capital felony and the most serious charge. It involves a "premeditated design" to kill or a death that occurs during the commission of specific violent felonies (known as Felony Murder), such as robbery, sexual battery, or carjacking.
  • Penalty: Punishable by the Death Penalty or Life Imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
• Second-Degree Murder: This involves an "unlawful killing perpetrated by any act imminently dangerous to another and evincing a depraved mind regardless of human life," but without a premeditated intent to kill a specific person.
  • Penalty: A first-degree felony punishable by up to Life in Prison.
• Third-Degree Murder: A unique Florida statute involving an unintentional killing that occurs during the commission of a non-violent felony.
  • Penalty: A second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in state prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Manslaughter (§ 782.07): This is the killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or culpable negligence of another, without lawful justification. It can be voluntary (heat of passion) or involuntary (culpable negligence).
  • Penalty: Generally a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, but it can be enhanced to a first-degree felony (up to 30 years) if the victim was a child, elderly person, or first responder.
• Vehicular Homicide (§ 782.071): The killing of a human being by the operation of a motor vehicle in a reckless manner likely to cause death or great bodily harm.
  • Penalty: A second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 fine

Our firm is also deeply versed in Justifiable Homicide (§ 782.02) and Excusable Homicide (§ 782.03). In many of our cases, what the State calls a crime, we prove was a legally permitted act of self-defense or an unavoidable accident.

A conviction results in the permanent loss of civil rights, including the right to vote and possess a firearm. It creates a permanent barrier to employment and housing and can lead to the total loss of family relationships and child custody.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Homicide Defense

At the Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A., we believe that every homicide case requires an exhaustive, independent investigation. We do not accept the police report as fact. Our approach includes:

• Forensic Science Analysis: We utilize independent experts in ballistics, DNA, blood spatter, and digital forensics to challenge the State's technical evidence.
• Stand Your Ground Defense: We are experts in Florida’s self-defense laws. We fight to prove you had no duty to retreat and that your use of force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
• Mental Health and Mitigation: Where appropriate, we explore defenses involving insanity, diminished capacity, or extreme emotional distress to provide a pathway for reduced charges or treatment.
• Aggressive Pre-Trial Motion Practice: We file motions to suppress evidence if your rights were violated during a search, seizure, or interrogation.

Why Choose Our Team for Your Homicide Defense

Deciding who will defend you is the single most important choice you can make at this moment. Our firm stands out for three essential reasons. 

First, our lead attorney, Armando J. Hernandez, spent years as a prosecutor in Miami, giving our team unique insight into how the State builds its case. This means we can anticipate prosecution strategies and uncover angles that others often miss.

Second, because we operate as a boutique law office, we dedicate significant time, energy, and resources to every client. This ensures responsive, tailored legal representation in even the most complex homicide cases.

Finally, our firm has earned recognition from national trial lawyer organizations, including membership in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys®. These honors reflect our commitment to quality and results, as well as your peace of mind during a difficult chapter.

How We Defend Homicide Cases in Miami

Our approach to homicide defense in Miami starts as soon as you contact us. We prioritize a rapid and confidential review, knowing that timing is crucial. 

When you work with us, you have a team led by a former Miami-Dade prosecutor who understands how police and the State Attorney’s Office investigate and pursue these cases.

Key elements of our defense strategy include:

• Immediate protection of your rights at every stage of the process
• Early case evaluation and thorough review of police and prosecution files
• Challenging identification and physical evidence when appropriate
• Interviewing witnesses and gathering time-sensitive information
• Ongoing updates about the progress of your case and what to expect next

By leveraging our understanding of Miami-Dade County prosecutors, judges, and investigators, we are positioned to build the most effective strategy for your circumstances. We keep you updated constantly with honest, direct information at each stage, so you always know what’s next and why it matters.

Take the Next Step: Speak to a Miami Homicide Defense Attorney Now

We are available 24/7, provide support in Spanish, and never pass your case to someone unfamiliar with Miami-Dade courts. Every call is confidential, and every question matters. Relief begins when you take the first step.

Call Law Office of Armando J. Hernandez, P.A. at (305) 400-0074 now to get urgent help from a homicide attorney in Miami.