Murder Lawyer in Rochester

Your Defense Starts Here: Guidance When Facing Murder Charges in Rochester

If you or a loved one is facing murder charges in Rochester, you are likely experiencing fear, confusion, and uncertainty about the future. At a time when every decision matters, you deserve guidance and strong support from someone who understands both the law and the system. As a murder lawyer in Rochester, I deliver steady legal defense for people in crisis.

Every day, I work with individuals and families who never imagined being in this situation. My approach combines compassion, direct communication, and a commitment to building a tailored defense for each person. Drawing from 25 years of experience in criminal defense and nine murder trials, I bring courtroom skill and a real understanding of the stakes.

I know the legal system in Monroe County and throughout the Rochester area because I spent years as a prosecutor here before dedicating my practice to criminal defense. I take on serious cases, including those that other attorneys avoid, and I do not give up when the odds are difficult. If you are ready for clear answers and personal support, reach out now for a confidential consultation.

Protect your life and liberty. Speak with a dedicated Rochester murder attorney for a consultation. Contact Christopher K. Rodeman Attorney at Law online or call (585) 928-4193 today, leveraging our experience, affordable payment plans, and 24/7 availability.

Understanding New York Murder Laws

New York law divides the crime of unlawful killing (homicide) into two primary degrees of murder, distinguished by the perpetrator's intent and the presence of aggravating factors. The fundamental difference between the degrees is the complexity of the facts required to prove guilt.

Murder in the First Degree (PL § 125.27)

This is the most severe charge, reserved for intentional killings coupled with specific, aggravating circumstances. To secure a conviction, the prosecution must prove the defendant intended to cause the death of another person and that one of the following special circumstances existed:

• Victim Status: The victim was a police officer, peace officer, or judicial officer killed while performing their official duties.
• For Hire/Contract Killing: The killing was committed for money or other pecuniary value.
• Witness Elimination: The victim was killed to prevent their testimony in a criminal case or in retaliation for past testimony.
• Felony Murder with Special Factors: The defendant personally committed the homicidal act during the course of an enumerated felony (like robbery or kidnapping).

Murder in the Second Degree (PL § 125.25)

Second-degree murder covers a broader range of killings and does not require the specialized aggravating circumstances of the first degree. It is typically proven under three main theories:

• Intentional Killing: With intent to cause the death of another person, the defendant causes the death of that person (or a third person). This is the "classic" intentional murder charge.
• Depraved Indifference Murder: Under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, the defendant recklessly engages in conduct that creates a grave risk of death, thereby causing death (e.g., shooting into a crowd).
• Felony Murder: The defendant causes the death of a person (other than a co-participant) while committing or attempting to commit certain listed felonies (such as robbery, burglary, or arson), even if the killing was unintentional.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a Murder Conviction

A conviction for murder in New York State is the most serious conviction possible, leading to devastating and permanent consequences.

Direct Consequences

As a Class A-I Felony, the sentencing range is severe:

• Minimum Sentence: A mandatory minimum indeterminate sentence of 15 years to life (meaning parole eligibility starts at 15 years, but life sentence remains).
• Maximum Sentence: Up to 25 years to life imprisonment.
• First Degree Murder: Typically results in the highest minimum sentences, such as 20 to 25 years to life.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond the prison term, a murder conviction strips the defendant of fundamental rights and opportunities:

• Loss of All Rights: Permanent loss of the right to vote, hold any position of public trust, and own firearms.
• Civil Liability: A criminal conviction is frequently followed by a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the victim's family, resulting in severe financial judgments against the defendant's assets.
• Permanent Record: A Class A-I felony conviction is irreversible and ends all prospects for licensed employment or certain professional careers.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Murder Defense

A successful defense against a murder charge requires challenging the prosecution's case on every legal and factual ground. My firm's strategies are rooted in decades of experience in the Rochester courts.

• Justification (Self-Defense): This is the strongest defense. I argue that the client's actions were legally justified because they reasonably believed they were in imminent danger of deadly physical force and that the force used was necessary to prevent death or serious injury.
• Extreme Emotional Disturbance (Affirmative Defense): This defense argues that the defendant acted under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance for which there was a reasonable explanation. If successful, this defense can reduce the charge from Murder in the Second Degree to Manslaughter in the First Degree (a Class B Felony with a significantly lighter sentence).
• Challenging Intent: I introduce evidence that demonstrates a lack of intentionality or premeditation, arguing that the killing was accidental, reckless, or done without the requisite deliberate state of mind for murder.
• Causation and Forensic Evidence: I challenge the medical examiner's findings, arguing that the death was caused by an intervening factor or that the State's forensic evidence is unreliable or inconclusive.