Chicago Attempted Murder Lawyer

Chicago Premier Attempted Murder Lawyer

Often enough, a split-second decision can alter one's life in the blink of an eye. Attorney Mitch Furman knows that the consequences of making a wrong choice can result in the harshest of penalties. With over 20 years of legal experience as a trial lawyer, I understand that oftentimes, acting under impulse or duress can result in a criminal prosecution that is devastating to the person's life. If you or your loved one have been charged with the crime of attempted murder, it's time to contact a skillful and competent lawyer who can help you. My team of attorneys and I are here to listen and provide incomparable representation for your attempted murder charge. We can help. Call Chicago Premier Attorney Today.

What Classifies as Attempted Murder?

In the world of legalese, the word "attempt" is classified as an "inchoate" crime. By definition, "inchoate" means "just begun" or "so not fully formed or developed."  Any attempted crime, such as attempted robbery or attempted battery, is the type of crime that a person has begun to act on but has not finished completing. 

Illinois Attempt Murder Statute states that a person commits the offense of attempt when, with intent to commit a specific offense, he or she does any act that constitutes a "substantial step" toward the commission of that offense. A "substantial step" is an act in furtherance of the criminal scheme and must be something more than mere preparation but less than the last act necessary before the substantive crime is completed. As an example, a person who plans out a murder scheme and writes out a list of supplies needed to implement it arguably has not taken a "substantial step" to commit first-degree murder.  On the other hand, if a person aims to kill another and shoots the gun but misses his intended target. The prosecution will most likely argue that a "substantial step" to commit first degree murder had occurred. 

Another important element that the prosecution must prove to sustain a conviction for attempted murder under the specific intent doctrine is that the person intended to commit murder. If the prosecutor only offers evidence that a person intended to hurt, maim, injure, or scare another individual, then the elements of attempted murder have not been met, and the conviction for attempted murder cannot be sustained.

What is Attempted First Degree Murder?

Attempted First Degree Murder occurs when a person does any act that constitutes a substantial step to commit murder and; 

• he or she either intends to kill or do great bodily harm to that individual or another or knows that such acts will cause death to that individual or another or
• he or she knows that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to that individual or another

What Are the Penalties For Attempted First Degree Murder?

Attempted First Degree Murder is a Class X Felony and non-probationable and is punishable by 6 to 30 years in prison. Additionally, if aggravating factors of Section 9-1 are present, the sentence shall be a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and not more than 80 years. These factors include;

• individual was a peace officer or fireman
• individual was an employee of an institution or facility of the Department of Corrections
• individual was an inmate at correctional institution or facility
• individual was an emergency medical technician - ambulance, emergency medical technician -intermediate, emergency medical technician - paramedic, ambulance driver, or other medical assistance or first aid personnel 

What Is Attempted Second Degree Murder?

Attempted Second Degree Murder occurs when a person does any act that constitutes a substantial step to commit murder, but; does not have a specific intent, commonly referred to as premeditation, to kill another person.

What Are the Penalties For Attempted Second-Degree Murder?

Attempted Second Degree Murder is a Class 1 Felony punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison. It is also probationable. In this instance, the burden of proof shifts and;

• defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence at sentencing that, at the time of the attempted murder, he or she was acting under a sudden and intense passion resulting from serious provocation by the individual whom the defendant endeavored to kill, 
• and, had the individual the defendant endeavored to kill died, the defendant would have negligently or accidentally caused that death

What Can an Attorney Do For My Attempted Murder Charge?

Depending on a scenario of operative-specific facts, an articulate and skillful lawyer can present an array of affirmative defenses available under the law. These may include the following;

• Self defense
• Lack of requisite intent
• Withdrawal
• No "substantial step" taken
• Impossibility

Contact Chicago Premier Attempted Murder Attorney

If you have been charged with attempted murder, time is of the essence. Contact an experienced trial lawyer, Mitch Furman, for a free, confidential consultation and an evaluation of your case. Let's discuss what matters to you and develop a strategy where my law firm can help you mitigate an attempted murder charge.

Contact us today at (312) 236-7078 for a free consultation with an experienced trial lawyer!