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877-Ben-Hall 
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Serving all of Michigan
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION 
877-Ben-Hall
877-Ben-Hall 877-Ben-Hall 517-798-5801 877-Ben-Hall Awards & Recognition
At Ben Hall Law, our skilled East Lansing murder defense attorneys know that their freedom is immediately at stake when someone is accused of killing another person.
Whether the accused believed their actions were justified, if the loss of life was an accident, or if they were unable to understand the wrongfulness of their actions, their defense strategy must be precise to avoid spending an extensive amount of time in jail.
Our Ingham County murder defense attorneys and support staff work tirelessly to produce real results for our clients, no matter where they live or work in Michigan. We understand that our defense strategy and representation inside and outside the courtroom can mean a difference in our client’s freedom and future, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
If you or someone you love has been accused of murder or attempted murder in Michigan, do not speak with investigators until you have partnered with a skilled murder defense attorney in East Lansing to ensure your rights are protected from the start of your case.
In Michigan, there are various degrees of murder charges, each with its own set of elements and penalties.
The specific charges and penalties for murder in Michigan are as follows:
First-degree murder is the most severe murder charge in Michigan. It involves the unlawful killing of another person with premeditation and deliberation or in the commission of certain felonies such as arson, sexual assault, robbery, and more.
A conviction for first-degree murder in Michigan carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Second-degree murder in Michigan involves intentionally killing another person without premeditation and deliberation. It is often referred to as a “heat of passion” killing.
Second-degree murder is a felony; the potential penalty is life imprisonment. However, parole may be possible after serving a specified minimum term.
Felony murder is a charge that arises when a person is killed during the commission of a specific felony, even if the killing was unintentional. It does not require premeditation or deliberation.
Felony murder is also a felony; the potential penalty is life imprisonment. Parole may be possible after serving a specified minimum term.
Manslaughter involves the unlawful killing of another person, but it lacks the elements of premeditation, deliberation, or the commission of a felony. Manslaughter may be further categorized as voluntary or involuntary.
Voluntary manslaughter is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Involuntary manslaughter is also a felony, but the penalty varies based on the specific circumstances and can range from one to 15 years in prison.
Vehicular homicide occurs when a person is killed due to a motor vehicle accident caused by the driver’s recklessness, negligence, or intoxication.
Vehicular homicide penalties vary depending on the specific circumstances and may result in imprisonment, fines, and loss of driving privileges.
Attempted murder involves an unsuccessful attempt to kill another person intending to commit murder. Penalties for attempted murder vary depending on the circumstances but typically involve imprisonment.
It is important to note that the penalties and potential sentences for murder charges in Michigan may vary based on the specific facts of each case, prior criminal history, and other factors.
When you partner with Ben Hall Law, you partner with a former Michigan police officer, Ingham County prosecutor, and retired Marine Corps veterans who use each of their extensive skills and experience to aggressively advocate for clients to achieve favorable results.
Our Michigan murder defense lawyers have an intimate understanding of how the prosecutor’s office approaches murder cases and know when they are willing to provide the best deal available for each of our client’s unique legal circumstances.
With a former prosecutor on our defense team, we know the prosecutor’s office will have to expend considerable resources to counter our precise case preparation, legal insight, courtroom presence, and exacting representation to obtain a conviction. For most, it is not worth the fight.
If the prosecutor’s office wants to play hardball, they will immediately recognize that our law firm builds each case as if it were going to go to trial — and win — from day one.
We will always be ready for those who want to take their chances at trial against us.
As a former Michigan police officer, Ben Hall knows law enforcement’s role is enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and managing public safety. This includes investigating, apprehending, and detaining individuals suspected of criminal offenses.
We also know that officers face immense pressure from their command, internal affairs, prosecutors, and the public, even when they do the right thing. It’s even worse when, in those small percentage of cases, their actions cross the line.
In today’s social climate, Michigan police officers are under intense scrutiny. They are being subjected to investigations, arrests, and severe charges for placing their lives on the line to protect the public. In the majority of the cases, the officers did nothing wrong.
This is why we are here.
Call us now to learn more about partnering with true legal advocates who believe in you.
You are not just a client when you partner with Ben Hall Law. You are the client. We believe in giving each client the personal attention they deserve because you, your case, and your future are important.
Our East Lansing murder defense attorneys give each client every tool in our arsenal to ensure we leave no detail to chance so that we can pursue the best outcome for their unique cases together.
To learn how we can put our expert legal resources to work for you, contact our trusted legal defense team in Michigan to discuss your case with trusted professionals who believe in you and your case by calling 877-236-4255 or contacting us online.
Your fight is our fight. Let’s get started.
Each murder defense strategy must be outlined based on the individual charged with the crime and the circumstances surrounding the loss of life. Generally speaking, possible defenses may include self-defense, the defense of others, lack of intent, alibi, or presenting an alternative suspect.
While it is possible to negotiate a plea bargain in some murder cases, the specific circumstances and options may vary. The prosecutor may be willing to reduce the charge from murder to a lesser offense, such as manslaughter, if the evidence supports such a reduction. The plea agreement’s terms will depend on the case’s specific details. A plea bargain may also involve the prosecutor agreeing to recommend a more lenient sentence, such as a shorter prison term, in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea. The judge has the ultimate authority to accept or reject the plea agreement. Our dedicated murder defense attorneys can help you assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of accepting a plea agreement.
Parole eligibility varies depending on the specific degree of murder and the applicable laws. First-degree murder convictions generally do not allow for parole, while second-degree and felony murder convictions may.
No, the death penalty has been constitutionally banned in Michigan since 1963. Therefore, all murder convictions result in sentences of life imprisonment, with or without the possibility of parole.
No, there is no statute of limitations for murder in Michigan. A statute of limitations is a legal time limit within which charges must be filed after committing a crime. However, for the most severe crimes, such as murder, there is typically no time limit for initiating criminal proceedings in Michigan.