Murder Criminal Defense Lawyer

AGGRESSIVE ADVOCACY FOR NEW YORK HOMICIDE ALLEGATIONS

When you are facing the weight of a homicide investigation, the stakes are not just high—they are absolute. Your freedom, your reputation, and your future depend entirely on the caliber of your legal representation. Marwaha Law Group, PLLC is recognized as a leader in high-stakes litigation, providing the sophisticated and relentless defense necessary to navigate the complexities of the New York criminal justice system. As a former prosecutor, founding attorney Nipun Marwaha understands the strategies the government uses to secure convictions. Our firm leverages this "inside" perspective to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case from the moment we are retained. Whether you are under investigation or have already been charged, securing an elite murder criminal defense attorney is the most critical step you can take to preserve your life.

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Secure a Murder Criminal Defense Attorney Recognized for Strategic Trial Success

A murder charge is the most serious allegation a person can face. To combat these charges, our legal team employs a cutting-edge approach that goes far beyond standard defense tactics. At Marwaha Law Group, we utilize focus groups and mock trials to test our theories and refine our arguments before ever stepping foot into a courtroom. This provides an incomparable advantage, allowing us to see how a jury might perceive evidence such as forensic data, DNA, and eyewitness testimony. As your murder criminal defense lawyer, we meticulously scrutinize the "chain of custody" for all physical evidence and challenge any constitutional violations, such as unlawful searches or coerced confessions, that may have occurred during the investigation. Our goal is always the same: to have charges dismissed, secured an acquittal, or strategically negotiate for a reduction in charges whenever the evidence permits.

Choosing a Manslaughter Criminal Defense Lawyer to Prove Lack of Intent

Manslaughter charges often hinge on the fine line between an unavoidable tragedy and criminal recklessness. If you are facing these allegations, a manslaughter criminal defense attorney must focus on the nuances of intent and state of mind. New York law distinguishes between voluntary and involuntary actions, and our defense strategies are tailored to highlight these critical differences. We frequently utilize experts to demonstrate that a death resulted from an accidental occurrence rather than criminal negligence. By asserting defenses such as self-defense, defense of others, or even "imperfect self-defense"—where an individual had an honest but unreasonable belief that force was necessary—we work to mitigate the severity of the consequences. Our recognized experts leave no stone unturned, investigating alibis and uncovering exculpatory evidence that the prosecution may have overlooked.

  • Murder in the 1st Degree: This homicide charge results from the planned killing of another with premeditated intention
  • Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree: This homicide charge refers to a death caused during another criminal act but without premeditation or specific malefic intent.
  • Manslaughter in the 1st Degree: This homicide charge refers to an accidental killing which occurs as a result of intentional choices to injure or otherwise cause harm. It can also refer to the death of someone while attempting to murder a third party.
  • Vehicular Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree: This homicide charge results from the unintentional killing of someone while violating state traffic laws or driving under the influence of intoxicants whether drugs or alcohol.
  • Vehicular Manslaughter in the 1st Degree: This homicide charge results from the death of someone by violating state traffic laws with a suspended license at the time of the crime.
  • Criminally Negligent Homicide: This homicide charge results from careless or reckless behavior which leads to a death.
  • Aggravated Criminally Negligent Homicide: This homicide charge results from careless or reckless behavior which leads to the death of a police officer while they were performing official duties.

Why Immediate Intervention by a Manslaughter Criminal Defense Attorney is Critical

The moments following an arrest or the start of a police inquiry are the most dangerous for the accused. The government is actively building a narrative, and without a manslaughter criminal defense lawyer present, you risk providing statements that can be used against you. At Marwaha Law Group, we are available 24/7 because we know that emergencies do not wait for business hours. We treat every client like family, offering compassionate support while maintaining an aggressive stance against the prosecution. Our firm is dedicated to ensuring you are heard and understood, providing a personalized case strategy that accounts for extreme emotional disturbance or severe provocation that may have played a role in the incident. We guide discovery and fine-tune every detail to ensure that your side of the story is the one that resonates in court.

How Our Recognized Experts Challenge the Prosecution’s Narrative

Success in homicide defense requires a multi-disciplinary approach. We don't just review the police report; we conduct our own thorough investigation. This includes:



  • Forensic Scrutiny: We work with independent medical examiners and forensic specialists to challenge the prosecution’s cause-of-death findings.
  • Witness Credibility: Our team investigates the backgrounds and motivations of eyewitnesses to uncover biases or inconsistencies in their statements.
  • Technological Evidence: We utilize 21st-century technology and high-tech case management to track every detail of digital evidence, from cell site data to surveillance footage.
  • Constitutional Advocacy: We aggressively move to suppress evidence obtained through violations of your Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Amendment rights.

New York Penal Law § 125.27: Murder in the first degree

If there is any kind of intent behind the killing of another person, then you can be charged with first-degree murder in New York. You will notice that there is more than one offense related to the killing of another person according to the laws that are stated. First-degree murder is the most serious charge and often requires the assistance of an attorney so that you understand your rights and so that the proper defenses can be used in the courtroom setting. Each murder charge that is listed in the state, such as first-degree or second-degree, carries a felony charge. When you go to court, you could be convicted of the crime of murder. This means that you could be sentenced to spend the rest of your life in prison. There are a few different components that are a part of being charged with first-degree murder.


You could be charged with first-degree murder if you intentionally killed a police officer or another member of law enforcement. The killing could have involved that of a firefighter or another emergency responder who was responding to provide assistance in an emergency situation. You can be charged if you had intent behind the killing of an employee of a correctional facility or caused the death of someone who was a witness to a crime and you wanted the person not to be able to testify. First-degree murder can be charged if you committed the killing during the commission of a felony crime or if you killed another person for profit. If you’ve been convicted in the past of killing someone in the second degree, then you can be charged with first-degree murder if you have intent behind another killing.

Two men kidnap a woman and ask for a ransom in the amount of $500,000. One of the men hits the woman on the head so that she can’t leave. The woman dies because of the injuries received from the wound. Since the men committed the crime of first-degree kidnapping and the woman died while they were in the commission of the crime, they would also be charged with first-degree murder.

They key to first-degree murder is that there has to be intent behind the killing of the other person. If there is no clear intent to kill the other person or there was no other crime in progress, then you likely won’t be charged with first-degree murder. However, if the victim was a member of law enforcement or another government agency, then you could be charged with the crime even if there was no clear intent to kill the person.


A common defense that your attorney could use in court is self-defense. You would have to prove that you were in fear for your life and that you were trying to defend yourself from another person with the only option being the killing of the other person. If the killing was not intentional but accidental, there are a few other defenses that your attorney could use in court to show that you had no plans to take the life of another person. Sometimes, if you kill another in the heat of the moment, then you could be charged with second-degree murder or a lesser charge depending on the circumstances.


In New York, murder is considered a class A-I felony. Even if you receive the minimal sentence for murder, you could still face up to 40 years in prison. Life in prison is at the far end of the sentencing options.


If you are charged with first-degree murder, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible who can prepare the best defense for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the difference between a murder charge and a manslaughter charge in New York?

    The single most important thing you can do after a drug arrest is exercise your right to remain silent and contact a drug crime lawyer as soon as possible. Law enforcement officers are trained to elicit statements that can be used against you, and even casual or seemingly harmless remarks can be taken out of context and presented as evidence of guilt. Do not consent to searches, do not discuss the details of the incident with anyone other than your attorney, and do not sign any documents without legal counsel present. The earlier an experienced drug crime attorney is involved in your case, the more opportunities there are to protect your rights, challenge the evidence, and shape the direction of your defense.

  • What should I do immediately if I am being questioned in a homicide investigation?

    In many cases, a drug crime attorney can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges reduced to a lesser offense, particularly when there are mitigating circumstances, weaknesses in the evidence, or viable constitutional challenges. Reductions can mean the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor, between incarceration and probation, and between a conviction that devastates your future and one that allows you to move forward. The specific possibilities depend on the facts of your case, the substance and quantity involved, your criminal history, and the strength of the defense your attorney builds. At Marwaha Law Group, we evaluate every avenue for reduction or dismissal as part of our standard case assessment.

  • How does a defense attorney challenge forensic and DNA evidence in a homicide case?

    A drug conviction in New York will appear on criminal background checks and can have lasting consequences for employment, housing, education, and professional licensing. Many employers, landlords, and licensing boards conduct background checks as part of their standard screening process, and a drug conviction can disqualify you from opportunities you have worked hard to earn. This is one of the many reasons why mounting an aggressive defense from the outset is so important — protecting your record now can protect your opportunities for years to come. In certain circumstances, your drug crime defense lawyer may also be able to explore options for sealing a conviction after the case is resolved.

  • Can a murder charge be reduced to manslaughter through a "heat of passion" defense?

    The distinction between simple drug possession and possession with intent to distribute is one of the most consequential in drug crime law. Simple possession charges allege that you had a controlled substance for personal use, while possession with intent to distribute alleges that you planned to sell, deliver, or otherwise distribute the substance to others. The difference in penalties is dramatic — intent to distribute charges are almost always classified as felonies and carry far more severe sentences. Prosecutors typically rely on circumstantial evidence such as the quantity of the substance, packaging materials, large amounts of cash, scales, multiple cell phones, and witness statements to argue intent. An experienced drug crime attorney can challenge the interpretation of this evidence and argue that possession was personal rather than commercial, potentially reducing the severity of the charges significantly.

  • Why is hiring a private law firm better than relying on a public defender for homicide cases?

    While public defenders are dedicated legal professionals, they are consistently burdened with overwhelming, high-volume caseloads that prevent them from dedicating the intensive, personalized attention that a complex homicide case demands. When your life and freedom are on the line, hiring a private murder criminal defense lawyer ensures that you have a dedicated advocate who is available 24/7 to aggressively fight for your rights. A private firm like Marwaha Law Group possesses the essential resources to hire independent investigators, consult with top-tier forensic experts, and utilize focus groups to test trial strategies before entering the courtroom. Because we limit our caseload to treat every client like family, we can meticulously review the thousands of pages of discovery involved in a murder trial, ensuring absolutely no detail is overlooked in your defense.

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Testimonials

Client Name

September 28, 2020

- Michael

There is no words to describe Mr.Nipun ! His professionalism and his attentiveness for his clients is incredible! I hired him 2 years ago to resolve an issue, and hired him again this week for another problem and he was there the whole time throughout the process. He is a trustworthy Lawyer, Made me feel comfortable and explained everything in detail. He is one of the best lawyers I’ve met in New York! Highly Recommended.

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The Murder Defense Law firm of Marwaha Law Group, PLLC is Ready to Fight for You!

Getting representation as soon as possible following any Murder Defense-related charge is the best way to promote a positive result from a subsequent trial. These charges are considered very serious and can result in expensive fines, the loss of driving privileges or professional licenses, and even incarceration. Only an experienced New York Murder Defense lawyer can successfully defend your case.

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