Murder cases require immediate investigation, expert witnesses, and aggressive defense. We preserve evidence and build your defense from day one. Your life is worth fighting for—call immediately.
When your life and freedom are at stake, you need a defense team ready to fight like everything depends on it—because it does.
If you’ve been accused of taking someone’s life in Georgia, you’re facing one of the most severe charges under state law. Whether it’s first-degree murder, felony murder, manslaughter, or aggravated involuntary manslaughter tied to a fentanyl overdose, a conviction could mean decades behind bars—or life.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we defend people accused of homicide in Newnan and across Coweta County. We know how prosecutors build these cases—and we know how to dismantle them. You don’t have time for delays or inexperience. If you’ve been arrested or believe you’re under investigation, call us now.
Georgia law recognizes several degrees of homicide, each with its own definitions, penalties, and defense strategies. Here’s what you need to know:
Georgia defines murder in two main ways:
A person commits murder when they:
“Unlawfully and with malice aforethought, either express or implied, cause the death of another human being.”
This is the most serious form of homicide in Georgia.
A person also commits murder if they:
“Cause the death of another during the commission of a felony—regardless of malice.”
That means you can be charged with murder even if you didn’t intend to kill anyone. If a death occurs while you’re committing another felony (e.g., robbery, burglary, aggravated assault), you may be charged with felony murder.
Penalties for Murder:
Georgia also recognizes second-degree murder, defined as:
“Causing the death of another during the commission of cruelty to children in the second degree.”
Even without malice, if the state believes a child’s death resulted from negligence or reckless parenting behavior, this charge may apply.
Penalty: 10 to 30 years in prison
Not all killings are murder. If the defendant killed in the heat of passion—provoked by circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to lose control—the charge may be reduced to voluntary manslaughter.
This often arises in:
To qualify, the passion must be:
Penalty: 1 to 20 years in prison
If someone dies because of your actions—but you had no intent to kill—you could be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Two types:
This may apply to accidental shootings, fights without weapons, or negligent actions resulting in a fatal fall or crash.
In response to rising overdose deaths, Georgia created a new offense in 2024:
“Causing the fentanyl overdose death of another human being, without intent to kill, by intentionally manufacturing or selling a fentanyl-laced substance while representing it as another drug.”
Even if you didn’t know the substance contained fentanyl, you can still be convicted.
Penalty:
This charge is separate from drug trafficking or distribution, and it does not merge with other offenses.
In Georgia, the prosecution builds a murder case based on:
If you’re even being questioned in connection with a homicide, you need to invoke your right to remain silent and contact a lawyer immediately.
Bibb County
Carroll County
Coweta County
Fulton County
Glynn County
Spalding County
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we don’t wait for the state to act—we proactively build your defense. Depending on your charges, we may raise one or more of the following defenses:
You are allowed to use deadly force if you reasonably believe someone is about to kill or seriously injure you or someone else. If you were acting in lawful self-defense, it is not murder.
In rare cases, a killing may be excused if it occurred while preventing a violent felony, defending your home, or protecting property under Georgia law.
For a murder charge to stick, the prosecution must prove intent or implied malice. If the killing was accidental, you may be eligible for a lesser charge—or acquittal.
We may argue the situation warranted a voluntary manslaughter charge rather than murder. This could significantly reduce the prison time you’re facing.
If law enforcement violated your rights—by conducting an illegal search, failing to read Miranda rights, or coercing a confession—we move to suppress the evidence.
The state has the burden to prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is weak, circumstantial, or based on unreliable testimony, we will use that to your advantage.
When you’re facing a homicide charge, you’re not just fighting for your freedom—you’re fighting for your future. We know that judges, juries, and even the public can jump to conclusions. Our job is to remind them of one thing: you have rights, and you are presumed innocent.
We:
Whether we’re negotiating for a reduced charge or taking your case in front of a jury, we fight to protect your freedom, your record, and your reputation.
If you’re under investigation or facing homicide charges—don’t wait. The state has already begun building its case against you. The sooner you call, the more we can do to fight back.
Call J. Ryan Brown Law or request a confidential consultation now.
We defend people facing life-changing charges—and we don’t back down.
