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Homicide

Georgia Homicide Defense

Facing a homicide charge is one of the most serious and life-altering legal situations a person can endure. These charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty in Georgia. Whether the incident arose from self-defense or an accident, it is critical to have an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the nuances of Georgia homicide law and will aggressively fight for your rights.

After a homicide charge, every second counts — don’t wait to protect your rights. Get legal advice today. Contact us online or call 404-LAW-TEAM today!

 
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Homicide Defense

Facing a homicide charge is one of the most serious and life-altering legal situations a person can endure. These charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty in Georgia. Whether the incident arose from self-defense or an accident, it is critical to have an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the nuances of Georgia homicide law and will aggressively fight for your rights.

After a homicide charge, every second counts — don’t wait to protect your rights. Get legal advice today. Contact us online or call 404-LAW-TEAM today!

Free & Confidential consultation
Kait Hayden

Kait Hayden

Criminal Defense Partner

Meet Kait Hayden

Morrison & Hughes is proud to offer top-tier criminal defense at our Fayetteville location, led by our Criminal Defense Partner Kait Hayden. With a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law, Kait has devoted her career to defending the accused and fighting for justice. Her passion for criminal defense has driven her to work with organizations like the Georgia Capital Defenders, Georgia Innocence Project, and Metro Conflict Defenders, gaining invaluable experience in indigent defense.

As a former public defender in Henry and Clayton counties, Kait has handled a wide range of felony cases, from drug possession to serious charges like aggravated child molestation and murder. Her extensive trial experience and deep commitment to protecting her clients’ rights make her a powerful advocate for those facing criminal charges.

If you or a loved one need experienced, dedicated legal defense, Morrison & Hughes is here to fight for you. Now offering criminal defense services in Fayetteville—because your future deserves a strong defense.

Learn more about Kait Hayden >>

Types of Homicide Charges in Georgia

Georgia law recognizes several categories of homicide, each with its own elements and penalties. Our firm defends clients against all types of homicide charges, including:

  • Malice Murder – The intentional killing of another person with malice aforethought. This is Georgia’s most serious murder charge and carries a mandatory life sentence or the death penalty.
  • Felony Murder – A person can be charged with murder if someone dies during the commission of a felony, even if the death was unintended. Intent to kill is not required, making this a complex and often misunderstood charge.
  • Voluntary Manslaughter – A killing that occurs in the “heat of passion” as a result of serious provocation. While less severe than murder, this still carries up to 20 years in prison.
  • Involuntary Manslaughter – An unintentional killing resulting from reckless or criminally negligent conduct, such as mishandling a firearm. Penalties vary based on the circumstances but can still involve substantial prison time.

Self-Defense and Justified Homicide

Georgia law permits the use of deadly force in certain situations. A killing may be legally justified if it occurred in:

  • Defense of self or others
  • Prevention of a forcible felony
  • Defense of a home under Georgia’s “Stand Your Ground” laws

However, these defenses must be asserted and proven with compelling evidence. Prosecutors often contest claims of self-defense, making early investigation and legal advocacy critical.

Building a Strong Homicide Defense

Homicide cases require meticulous legal strategy. Our defense team will:

  • Conduct an independent investigation
  • Challenge forensic and ballistics evidence
  • Uncover violations of your constitutional rights
  • Retain expert witnesses, when appropriate
  • Cross-examine eyewitnesses for inconsistencies
  • Develop a narrative that supports self-defense or mitigates the severity of the charge

Your Life Is On the Line. We Fight Like It.

We understand the stakes in a homicide case. Whether you have been wrongfully accused or made a tragic mistake, we will treat your case with the utmost seriousness and work tirelessly to build the strongest possible defense.

Contact Us Immediately

If you or a loved one has been charged with any type of homicide in Georgia, do not wait to get legal help. The sooner we are involved, the more opportunity we have to protect your rights, investigate your case, and build a strong defense.

Your Future Deserves a Relentless Defense. We Don’t Back Down! For Aggressive Homicide Defense, contact us online or call 404-LAW-TEAM today!

When You Have Been Accused of a Crime, We Are Here To Help

We offer free initial consultations, so call 404-LAW-TEAM or contact us online today.
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Criminal Defense

Aggravated Battery, Jury Acquittal

Our client faced serious felony charges carrying a possible sentence of 60 years in prison including Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree after being accused of intentionally burning a child with hot oil. Prosecutors alleged she intentionally poured boiling oil on her young cousin, a claim that was not supported by the evidence.

At trial, we demonstrated that the incident was a tragic accident, not a criminal act. After a hard-fought jury trial, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty on all counts, clearing our client’s name and restoring her freedom.

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Sexual Assault, Charges Dismissed

Our client was falsely accused of a series of violent sexual offenses, including Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and false imprisonment. The accuser claimed she was drugged, restrained, and assaulted over multiple occasions. These allegations, if true, would have carried life-altering consequences, including the possibility of more than three life sentences in prison.

Over the course of two years, we conducted an exhaustive investigation, working closely with prosecutors and presenting evidence that contradicted her account. Ultimately, the State dismissed all charges, citing the issues we raised: conflicting dates, memory lapses, contradictory statements, and witness credibility concerns. They concluded they could not meet the burden of proof and dismissed all charges.

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Officer-Involved Battery, Charges Dropped

Our client was charged with Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Obstruction, and other offenses after officers claimed he resisted arrest and caused injury. In truth, he was walking through a neighborhood when officers approached him.

Body camera footage revealed our client remained calm and simply asked why he was being detained. After officers escalated the situation and caused a group fall that led to an officer’s injury, they wrongly blamed our client. We fought for justice through court hearings and direct negotiation, ultimately securing a complete dismissal of all charges.

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Firearm and Drug Possession, Charges Dismissed

Our client was arrested for Possession of a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm during a Felony, based on a bag allegedly found in the woods containing his ID, drugs, and a gun. Officers claimed the bag belonged to our client, but the facts told a different story.

After carefully reviewing and organizing fragmented bodycam footage, we proved that officers planted our client’s ID into the bag after it was found, directly contradicting their reports. This critical finding led the prosecution to dismiss all charges against our client.

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Drug Possession, Charges Dismissed 


Police arrested our client at a hotel after staff called authorities over a check-in misunderstanding. Officers detained him for “loitering,” despite the fact he had a valid reason to be there. A bag of methamphetamine found later in a separate area was wrongfully attributed to him.

Through investigation, we demonstrated that the drugs were discovered in a place our client had no access to and that he was lawfully present at the hotel. These facts, coupled with our legal advocacy, resulted in the complete dismissal of all charges.

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Drug Possession, Charges Dismissed

Our client was stopped at a police roadblock and charged with drug possession and driving on a suspended license. Officers claimed they found Schedule 1 substances and marijuana in the car, and that his license was invalid.

We uncovered that the license suspension had not been properly executed, meaning it was never legally in effect. We also challenged the roadblock’s legality and the basis for the vehicle search. These efforts led prosecutors to dismiss the case entirely.

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First-Offender Felony Probation Violation, Case Closed


Our client was facing a violation of felony probation based on multiple technical violations, including nonpayment of fines and failure to report. Additionally, he had fled the state from probation for 7 years. These types of violations, especially after being missing for so long, often result in significant jail time, as well as an adjudication of guilt under the first-offender act, meaning our client would have become a convicted felon.

By carefully reviewing the dates and case disposition, presenting mitigating evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and emphasizing our client’s personal progress, we successfully negotiated that the case be closed and preserved our client’s first-offender status, meaning there will be no adjudication of guilt entered, and he was freed from any further court supervision.

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Criminal Defense Cases We Handle

DUI:

Driving under the Influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. Aggravated or Enhanced DUI: DUI with Child Passenger, DUI Causing Injury or Death, Multiple DUI Offenses, and Felony DUI.

Drug Possession

Possession with Intent to Distribute, Trafficking, Possession of Drug Related Objects, etc.

Sexual Offenses:

Sexual Battery, Failure to Register, Rape, Statutory Rape, Child Molestation, Enticing a Minor for Indecent Purposes,  etc.

Probation Violations

Felony or Misdemeanor Probation, New Criminal Charges, Failure to Pay Fine or Restitution, Failure to Report or to Complete Court-ordered Restrictions, Services or Classes, Positive Drug Screens, etc.

Violent Crimes

Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, Battery, Obstruction, Cruelty to Children, Elder Abuse, Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, etc.

Battery & Aggravated Assault

Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Domestic or Family Violence, Simple Battery, Assault on a Police Officer, etc.

Gun & Weapon Offenses

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, Unlawful Possession by a Convicted Felon or in a Restricted Area, Theft by Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Prohibited Weapons, etc.

Homicide:

Self-Defense, Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Voluntary or Involuntary Manslaughter, etc.

Burglary & Destruction of Property

Burglary, Home Invasion, Arson, Trespass and Criminal Damage to Property, etc.

Serious Driving Offenses:

Fleeing and attempting to elude, Reckless Driving, DUI, Serious Injury by Vehicle, Vehicular Homicide, etc.

Theft:

Shoplifting, Robbery, Theft by Conversion, Theft by Receiving, Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property, and more.

Forgery and Fraud:

Financial Transaction Card Theft or Fraud, Forgery, Alteration of Identifying Information from Property, etc.

Tell Us About Your Case

Answer just a few easy questions, and we’ll be able to help tell if you have a case! Please note that this is not legal advice, and we aren’t your attorney yet. It’s just a quick way to get some basic information. We strongly recommend that you contact us for a free consultation and speak to a live attorney to figure out what your case is worth.

How We Can Help You

Dedicated to Those Injured by Negligence & Defending the Accused

when you have Accused of a Crime, we won't back down

It can feel like the system is designed for you to lose- but with attorneys who don't back down on your side, you can fight- and win.

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