Manslaughter Attorney in Panama City

Your Advocate for Serious Charges in Bay County

Facing a manslaughter charge in Panama City can threaten your future. At Shepard Law, we defend your rights with personal attention and local insight. If you or your loved one faces this situation, our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and help guide your next steps.

Our approach is rooted in deep knowledge of Bay County’s legal community. We understand the process and timelines in area courts and work to help you make informed decisions from the first phone call onward. 

We believe that trust and preparation can make a real difference as your case moves forward, especially when you face high-risk allegations that can carry lifelong consequences. By focusing on practical guidance and clarity, we help clients regain a sense of control at a stressful time.

Do not speak to law enforcement without counsel. Call a manslaughter attorney in Panama City from Shepard Law at (850) 290-2505 or reach out online now for 24/7 availability and a free consultation. We are former prosecutors ready to defend you. 

Understanding Manslaughter Laws in Florida

Manslaughter under Florida law is the crime of causing the death of another person by act, procurement, or culpable negligence, when the act is neither excusable nor justifiable homicide. It is essentially a homicide that lacks the malicious intent or planning required for higher degrees of murder. This critical difference in mental state forms the cornerstone of our firm’s defense strategy.

Florida law generally recognizes three core categories of manslaughter, which our firm defends against:

• Voluntary Manslaughter (Manslaughter by Act): This occurs when the killing is intentional, but committed in the "heat of passion" following adequate, sudden provocation. The act is intentional, but the lack of time for a "cooling off" period negates the element of premeditation required for murder.
• Involuntary Manslaughter (Manslaughter by Culpable Negligence): This occurs when the killing is unintentional but results from the defendant's culpable negligence. Culpable negligence is defined as a reckless disregard for human life or the safety of others, demonstrating a gross and flagrant indifference to the safety of the public. Ordinary negligence is not enough to secure a conviction; the State must prove this high level of disregard.
• Aggravated Manslaughter (Florida Statute § 782.07(3)): The charge is elevated to an Aggravated Felony if the victim is a child under 18, an elderly person (60 or older), a disabled adult, or a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or EMT while performing their official duties.

Each of these categories requires a distinct defense strategy, and your manslaughter attorney in Panama City must be prepared to address the specific intent or lack thereof, relevant to the charge.

Penalties and Sentencing of Manslaughter under Florida Law

The potential penalties for a manslaughter conviction are severe, and Florida’s sentencing guidelines require a skilled manslaughter attorney in Panama City to advocate for a non-mandatory sentence.

Direct Penalties

• Standard Manslaughter: This is typically classified as a Second-Degree Felony. The maximum penalty is 15 years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Aggravated Manslaughter (of a Child/Elderly Person): This is classified as a First-Degree Felony. The maximum penalty is 30 years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Manslaughter with a Weapon: Under Florida’s 10-20-Life Statute, if the commission of the crime involved the use of a firearm or deadly weapon, the charge is automatically reclassified to a First-Degree Felony, drastically increasing the mandatory minimum prison exposure.

Mandatory Sentencing and the Criminal Punishment Code

Under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code (CPC), manslaughter is a Level 7 offense. Without a finding of specific legal mitigating factors (a "downward departure"), the minimum sentence for standard manslaughter is often over 9 years in prison. When a weapon is involved, the minimum sentence rises higher.

As your Panama City manslaughter lawyer, we focus on presenting powerful mitigation evidence and legal arguments to the court to justify a downward departure from the mandatory sentencing guidelines, aiming for probation or the statutory minimum sentence. (K2: 3)

Collateral Consequences

The consequences of a manslaughter conviction extend long past incarceration and include:

• Permanent Felony Record: Which prevents voting, owning firearms, and obtaining certain professional licenses.
• Civil Liability: A criminal conviction is often used as conclusive proof of negligence or wrongdoing in a subsequent wrongful death civil lawsuit, exposing you to massive financial judgments.
• Reputation and Employment: The stigma of a homicide conviction is permanent, severely limiting job opportunities and professional standing. We fight to protect our clients from these devastating outcomes.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Manslaughter Defense

At Shepard Law, we utilize our firm’s unique background as former prosecutors to build a strategic defense aimed at a dismissal, a reduction of the charge, or an acquittal at trial. Our defense methodology is rooted in challenging the State’s burden of proof on every element.

• Self-Defense/Justifiable Homicide: We aggressively investigate and assert the Stand Your Ground defense whenever the facts suggest the use of force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. We file the Motion for Immunity to secure a pre-trial dismissal.
• Excusable Homicide (Accident): We argue that the death was an excusable homicide—an accidental killing committed during a lawful act, with ordinary caution, and without any unlawful intent. This defense is critical in challenging charges of involuntary manslaughter by culpable negligence.
• Challenging Culpable Negligence: For involuntary manslaughter cases, we introduce evidence showing the defendant's actions did not rise to the level of "gross and flagrant" disregard for human life. We argue that the actions were, at most, simple negligence that belongs in civil court, not criminal court. This is a common and effective strategy for a manslaughter attorney in Panama City.
• Attacking Causation: Our firm retains forensic professionals to review the medical evidence and determine if the State can truly prove that the client's actions were the legal cause of death, rather than a subsequent injury, medical error, or other intervening factor.
• Mitigation for Sentencing: In cases where guilt is clear, we focus relentlessly on mitigating factors, presenting a comprehensive picture of the client's life to argue for the lowest possible sentence or a downward departure from the harsh CPC guidelines.

Why Choose Shepard Law When Everything Is at Risk

Choosing the right manslaughter lawyer in Panama City means picking a defense team that knows the law and the unique challenges in our area. Rusty Shepard leads our firm as a former prosecutor, giving us valuable insight into how criminal charges are handled from both sides. 

We focus on diligent case preparation, clear communication, and 24/7 support. Our 24/7 hotline gives you immediate answers when you need them most. Shepard Law offers free consultations, allowing you to discuss your situation and options without obligation.

• Former prosecutor advantage: We use inside knowledge of prosecution strategies while building your defense.
• 24/7 emergency access: Immediate support can keep you informed and reduce stress during uncertain times.
• Thorough preparation: Each case receives detailed attention from our team, increasing the chance of a favorable outcome.
• Personal service: Your questions are always answered directly by a legal professional who knows your case.

When you work with a manslaughter attorney in Panama City at Shepard Law, we take time to learn your priorities—such as protecting your job, family, and community standing. Many clients worry about how an arrest could affect their lives outside the court. We tailor our efforts to your individual circumstances, keeping you informed every step of the way. You always know what’s happening with your case.

Contact Shepard Law & Take the Next Step

If you face a manslaughter charge or investigation in Panama City, act quickly to protect your future. Reach out to Shepard Law for a free, confidential consultation today. Our team values your future, offers 24/7 support, and draws on deep experience in Bay County to help you move forward with clarity. 

When you call (850) 290-2505 or submit your information online, you gain direct access to a team that takes your concerns seriously and works to provide options tailored to your situation.