What is Murder in the first degree?

A person facing murder charges in the first degree is usually accused of having done one of the following: *Intentionally killing a police officer, peace officer, first responder, or prison official; *Intentionally killing a witness to a crime with the intent to prevent them from testifying or in retaliation for them already having testified; *Killing someone in return for money or paying someone else to kill a person; *Killing someone while committing another serious felony; *Killing someone after previously having been convicted of murder; *Killing someone after having first tortured them; *Killing two or more people within a twenty-four-hour period as part of a single plan.

What is Murder in the second degree?

Someone facing murder charges in the second degree is most commonly alleged to have: *Caused the death of another person with the intent to kill that person or someone else; *Caused someone’s death while showing a depraved indifference to human life and recklessly acting in a way that created a grave risk of death; *Committed a serious felony and someone (not a participant in the crime) is killed, even unintentionally (also known as “Felony Murder”).

What is the difference between manslaughter in the first degree and manslaughter in the second degree?

Manslaughter in the first degree is generally charged when someone is alleged to have killed someone not intending to kill them but rather cause them serious physical injury or causing someone’s death under circumstances that show they were under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance. Manslaughter in the second degree is charged when a person is accused of recklessly causing the death of another person or intentionally causes or aids another person to commit suicide.

What is vehicular manslaughter?

Vehicular manslaughter in the first degree is when a driver unintentionally causes the death of another while intoxicated and one of the following aggravating factors: *A Blood Alcohol Level of over .18%; *A suspended or revoked license; *A prior conviction for drunk-driving or vehicular assault within the previous ten years; *Causing the death of more than one person; *Having someone under fifteen years of age in the car and causing their death.

How much do I pay for a consultation?

The Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C. offers a free consultation. If you've been charged with burglary, getting the help of a skilled Long Island burglary lawyer is very important. We can help you navigate the complexities of the justice system.

Where is your office located?

Our Suffolk County law office is located at 320 Carleton Ave Suite 4200, Central Islip, NY 11722. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you'd like to visit us, feel free to do so.

How do I contact you?

You can call us at (631) 259-6060. You can also send us an email at bassettlaw@live.com. Another way to contact us is by filling up the contact form on our website at https://jbassettlaw.com/contact/

Homicide Lawyer

Q: What is Criminally Negligent Homicide?

A person is accused of criminally negligent homicide when they cause the death of another person and they didn’t cause the death intentionally but rather they failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death might occur and that failure to perceive the risk is a gross deviation from what a reasonable person would observe.

Top Long Island Homicide Criminal Defense Attorney Jason Bassett

There are no criminal charges more serious than murder or homicide. Anyone charged with murder faces the prospect of spending the rest of their lives in prison. Being convicted of homicide can mean the loss of your freedom and your future.

If you or someone you care about has been accused of murder, the lawyer that you choose can make all the difference. You need someone not afraid to take on the police and the prosecution. In order to get the best possible outcome when you or someone you love has been accused of homicide, you need to hire a top criminal defense lawyer.

Jason Bassett, Esq. is an experienced criminal defense lawyer devoted to representing the rights of those who have been charged with murder, whether in be in Suffolk County, Nassau County on Long Island, or anywhere else in New York NY. Not only is he an experienced Long Island homicide defense lawyer, but he also has experience as a former NYC prosecutor so he knows exactly how homicide detectives and prosecutors think and how to beat them. Mr. Bassett has the experience and expertise to give anyone accused of murder the best possible defense. If you or someone close to you has been charged with violent crimes, contact us today for a free case evaluation (631) 259-6060.

Jason was attentive, respectful and made me feel like I made the right choice in hiring him as an attorney from the start.

John E. Tweet

Free consultation

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Degrees of Murder or Manslaughter in New York State

Homicide is an umbrella term for various types of crimes in which one person is accused of having taken the life of another. Under the laws of New York, “homicide” is defined as causing the death of a person under circumstances constituting murder in the first degree, murder in the 2nd degree, manslaughter in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree, or criminally negligent homicide. Criminal defense attorneys like Jason Bassett represent people who have been accused of:

Murder

Murder in the first degree – A person facing murder charges in the first degree is usually accused of having done one of the following:

Intentionally killing a police officer, peace officer, first responder, or prison official;
Intentionally killing a witness to a crime with the intent to prevent them from testifying or in retaliation for them already having testified;
Killing someone in return for money or paying someone else to kill a person;
Killing someone while committing another serious felony;
Killing someone after previously having been convicted of murder;
Killing someone after having first tortured them;
Killing two or more people within a twenty-four hour period as part of a single plan.

Murder in the second degree – Someone facing murder charges in the second degree is most commonly alleged to have:

Caused the death of another person with the intent to kill that person or someone else;
Caused someone’s death while showing a depraved indifference to human life and recklessly acting in a way that created a grave risk of death;
Committed a serious felony and someone (not a participant in the crime) is killed, even unintentionally (also known as “Felony Murder”).

If you or someone you care about is facing a violent crimes/homicide charge in Suffolk County, Nassau County, or anywhere in New York City, contact top New York criminal defense lawyer Jason Bassett today for a free consultation in person or over the phone.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter in the first degree is generally charged when someone is alleged to have killed someone not intending to kill them but rather cause them serious physical injury or causing someone’s death under circumstances that show they were under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance.
Manslaughter in the second degree is charged when a person is accused of recklessly causing the death of another person or intentionally causes or aids another person to commit suicide.

Criminally Negligent Homicide

Criminally Negligent Homicide — A person is accused of this crime when they cause the death of another person and they didn’t cause the death intentionally but rather they failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death might occur and that failure to perceive the risk is a gross deviation from what a reasonable person would observe.

Vehicular Manslaughter

Vehicular manslaughter in the first degree is when a driver unintentionally causes the death of another while intoxicated and one of the following aggravating factors:

A Blood Alcohol Level of over .18%;
A suspended or revoked license;
A prior conviction for drunk-driving or vehicular assault within the previous ten years;
Causing the death of more than one person;
Having someone under fifteen years of age in the car and causing their death.

Vehicular manslaughter in the 2nd degree is when a driver unintentionally causes the death of another while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.

Schedule a free consultation

Mr Basset has shown me both compassion & care. He is easy to talk to & easy to contact. I am totally happy that contacted & hired him to represent me in present case. Very professional & gives me confidence he will fight for me. Highly recommend !!!!

Fran F. Tweet

Defenses to Homicide Charges in New York State

A skilled criminal attorney like Jason Bassett understands how to use any possible defense in order to secure a not guilty verdict or at least lessen to degree of the charge someone charged with homicide is facing. These defenses include:

Hiring top legal representation is important if you are facing New York homicide charges. For legal advice and legal representation contact us or call today (631) 259-6060.

He treated me with respect and did everything in his power to ensure I received my freedom. Excellent. He was able to do beyond what was desired and expected.

Jayquan W. Tweet

Schedule a free consultation

Jason Bassett – Top-Rated New York Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with homicide on Long Island in New York City, you need a criminal defense lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your rights and will do whatever it takes to get you the best possible outcome.

Jason Bassett, Esq. has the experience and skill to provide an uncompromising legal defense to clients who have been accused of homicide, murder, or manslaughter in New York State. His other practice areas include domestic violence, sex crimes, white-collar crimes, drug crimes/dwi. Contact the law firm of Criminal Attorney Jason Bassett for a consultation immediately to get the best legal defense (631) 259-6060.