Top Atlanta Murder Defense Attorneys | Fighting for Your Future

Experienced. Fearless. Committed to Justice.

Murder charges are one of the most serious legal situations a person can face. A conviction can result in life in prison—or even the death penalty—in the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one is accused of felony murder, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter, having an experienced criminal defense attorney with years of experience is critical.

For over 75 years, Garland, Samuel & Loeb, P.C. has been a leading law firm in Atlanta. Our team provides aggressive legal representation in criminal cases involving murder, domestic violence, violent crimes, white-collar crimes, drug crimes, and federal court litigation.

Our Atlanta criminal defense lawyers fight to deliver the best possible outcome for clients throughout Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Cobb County, Marietta, Decatur, Lawrenceville, and greater Atlanta.

Our legal team includes Super Lawyers with extensive experience defending clients in high-profile criminal cases. We aggressively challenge law enforcement investigations and build a strong defense strategy to create reasonable doubt in court.

Why Choose Our Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers?

Decades of Trial Experience – Our trial lawyers have successfully defended clients against murder charges and violent crime allegations throughout Georgia.
Respected by Judges & Prosecutors – Our law firm’s reputation helps us achieve favorable plea deals, reduced charges, or case dismissals negotiated with the district attorney.
Recognized as Super Lawyers – Our Atlanta criminal defense attorneys are repeatedly honored as Super Lawyers, reinforcing our reputation as some of the best lawyers in Georgia.
Dedicated, Personalized Defense – We prioritize the attorney-client relationship, ensuring each client receives individualized legal representation and expert legal advice.

Understanding Murder & Homicide Charges in Georgia

Under Georgia criminal law, homicide offenses are categorized into felony murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter. Each carries severe penalties, requiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands how to fight for you in court.

Felony Murder (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-1(c))

A death occurring during the commission of a felony, regardless of intent.
Example: A person commits armed robbery, and someone is killed during the act.
Penalty: Life in prison, sometimes without parole.

Voluntary Manslaughter (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-2)

A killing in the heat of passion due to sudden provocation.
Example: A heated argument turns violent, or an act of domestic violence leads to a fatal altercation.
Penalty: Up to 20 years in prison.

Involuntary Manslaughter (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-3)

An unintentional killing caused by reckless actions or criminal negligence.
Example: A firearm discharges accidentally, resulting in death.
Penalty: Up to 10 years in prison for felony involuntary manslaughter.

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How Our Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers Fight Murder Charges

The criminal justice system in Georgia aggressively prosecutes murder charges. You need a law firm with the know-how and years of experience to fight for you.

Challenging the Prosecution’s Evidence

Many criminal cases rely on circumstantial evidence and forensic analysis.
Our trial lawyers scrutinize law enforcement reports, forensic findings, and witness testimony to expose weaknesses.

Defending Against Eyewitness Misidentifications

Mistaken identity is a leading cause of wrongful convictions in Georgia.
Our criminal defense attorneys use video surveillance, forensic science, and expert testimony to challenge unreliable witnesses.

Proving Self-Defense or Justification

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-3-21) allows individuals to use self-defense when threatened with serious harm.
Our legal team presents physical evidence, forensic analysis, and legal precedent to prove a justified use of force.

Exposing Police Misconduct & Coerced Confessions

Aggressive law enforcement interrogations can lead to false confessions.
Our Atlanta criminal defense lawyers analyze police interrogation tactics and constitutional violations to challenge the prosecution.

Suppressing Illegally Obtained Evidence

If law enforcement obtained evidence unlawfully, we file motions to suppress it in state and federal court.

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Proven Success in Atlanta Murder Cases

Our client reviews highlight our law firm’s ability to secure the best possible outcome for clients facing serious criminal charges:

"John A. Garland may not wear a red cape, but he is definitely our hero! After eighteen months, all charges against my son were dismissed!" – Leigh Shirley

"Amanda Clark-Palmer and Kristen Novay are the team you want when your freedom is at stake. Their expertise was amazing to watch during a jury trial, and they delivered the only acceptable verdict—Not Guilty on all charges." – Will

"If you ever find yourself in need of legal representation, please consider Garland, Samuel & Loeb, P.C. They brought the best possible outcome one can expect." – De Kim

Defending Clients Throughout Atlanta & North Georgia

Our law office serves clients in:

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Early Legal Intervention Can Make a Difference

If you or a loved one is facing murder charges in Georgia, securing an experienced criminal defense attorney as early as possible is critical. Our legal team is ready to fight for you and protect your future.

Call us today at 404-262-2225 for a confidential consultation.
Or fill out our online contact form to schedule a case review.

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Disclaimer

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact our law office to discuss the specifics of your case.

Contact Our Team of Murder Defense Lawyers

As Atlanta’s murder charge firm, we have years of experience handling highly complex defense cases. Let the Atlanta criminal defense attorneys at our law office fight for you.

If you’re ready to start working on your defense strategy, request a free consultation to meet with one of our super lawyers. We’ll answer your questions, and determine if our firm can offer you the legal representation your situation needs. Get started by leaving your information on our murder charge contact form.

Contact our office today to discuss your murder case. We are available during regular business hours and by appointment at other times.

FAQs About Murder Charges in Georgia

Both Malice Murder and Felony Murder have the same mandatory minimum sentence which is Life with the Possibility of Parole. A person with a life sentence cannot be considered for parole until after they have served 30 years of their sentence.

We do not really have degrees of murder in Georgia. We have Malice Murder and Felony Murder. There is a charge called "Second Degree Murder" but it applies only in instances where someone commits the offense of cruelty to children in the second degree and causes the death of another person, irrespective of malice.

Malice murder means an intentional killing of another human being that is done with "malice aforethought." "Malice" means an unlawful intent to kill without justification, excuse, or mitigation. It does not necessarily mean ill will or hatred.

Attempted murder happens when someone intends to commit murder and performs any act which constitutes a substantial step towards the commission of that murder. For example, buying a gun with the intent to murder someone with that gun would be attempted murder.

One common defense in murder cases is self-defense. A variation on this is defense of others or defense of property. Georgia law allows someone to use deadly force to defend themselves, others, or their property when they believe the attacker is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to them. Or if you believe someone is entering your house to commit a forcible felony.

In Georgia, Malice Murder and Felony Murder are both eligible to be punished by death, so they are both capital offenses. Second Degree Murder can be punished by 10 to 30 years.

"Homicide" is not a legal term in Georgia. In Georgia, we use the term murder to mean an intentional killing of another human being. We also have felony murder, which is occurs when someone commits a felony and in the process of committing that felony causes the death of another person, even if unintentional. "Homicide" is a term that is used by medical examiners and it means a death that occurs not by accident or natural causes.

In Georgia, someone cannot be prosecuted for murder if they were lawfully acting in self-defense, defense of others, or defense of property. This is a decision that the judge can make prior to trial

Determining the best defense tactic for your case will depend heavily on the circumstances of your case. You need an experienced lawyer to analyze the circumstances of your case to look for legal defenses (such as self-defense or defense of others) or factual defenses (like you did not do what the prosecution accuses you of doing).

The standard of proof for every crime is the same: the prosecution must prove someone's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The elements of Voluntary Manslaughter that the prosecution must prove are that someone caused the death of another but acted solely as the result of a sudden, violent, and irresistible passion resulting from serious provocation sufficient to excite such passion in a reasonable person (without any kind of "cooling off" period.)

Manslaughter is a serious crime, but it is separate from murder. Georgia recognizes voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.

Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person intentionally kills another person while influenced by sudden and violent passions. There will need to be significant evidence that the passion was provoked by something beyond a typical person’s ability to deal with responsibly. If you are found guilty, you can face up to 20 years in prison.

Involuntary manslaughter occurs when a person kills another person unintentionally. In order to be charged with manslaughter rather than a less serious charge, there must be evidence that your behavior was illegal or reckless at the time.

Georgia has both Voluntary Manslaughter and Involuntary Manslaughter. Involuntary Manslaughter is punishable by a sentence of 1-10 years. Voluntary Manslaughter is punishable by a sentence of 1-20 years.

How Can We Help You?

When you hire the law firm of Garland, Samuel & Loeb, you can rely on us to do everything in our power to reach the best possible outcome in your case. Whether you have suffered a serious injury in an accident or are facing criminal charges, our attorneys will fight to see that your rights are protected from the start.