Murder & Manslaughter
Lawyers Melbourne

If you have been charged with a Murder or Manslaughter crime, our skilled criminal solicitors can provide you with important advice and representation

  • The right legal representation is much needed when dealing with serious charges like Murder and Manslaughter
  • Expert JDA lawyers can help identify possible defences for your case and advise you on all legal matters
  • In Victoria, serious charges such as these may result in considerable time in prison

Need immediate assistance in relation to a Murder or Manslaughter offence?

Call James Dowsley & Associates 24/7 on (03) 9781 4900

JDA Legal Criminal Law Expert Murder Manslaughter scaled

The Process

Murder and Mansluaghter are indictible offences and thus taken very seriously. Some of the steps that may be followed when you are facing such a charge are:
  • Police may interview someone accused of Murder or Manslaughter before or after laying charges
  • If a charge proceeds, prosecutors are required to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law
  • If you are remanded in custody for the time before your trial, you may be able to apply for bail
  • At the trial a defendant will be required to plead guilty or not guilty under oath and all relevant evidence will be presented
  • If a defendant is found guilty, the court will decide on an appropriate penalty in line with maximum sentencing for the crime. Maximum penalties for Murder and Manslaughter include lengthy terms of imprisonment

Contact JDA Law early on in this process to ensure you receive expert legal advice and representation at every step.

Types of Murder & Manslaughter Charges

There are various crimes which cover the unlawful killing of another person.

They are largely distinguished by the degree of blameworthiness that they place on the committer. Murder, Manslaughter and related crimes are considered indictable offences and are heard in the Supreme Court. These trials can take several months, or even years.

See below for information on specific crimes and their maximum penalties.

Murder

Murder is the intentional and unlawful killing of another person. The maximum penalty for Murder is life imprisonment, as stated in Section 3 of the Crimes Act 1958.

A defendant to a charge of Murder must be proved beyond reasonable doubt to have:

Read more
Voluntary Manslaughter

Voluntary Manslaughter differs from Murder in that, though the killing is intentional, it may be provoked by certain circumstances.

In this way, Manslaughter is less premeditated. For example, in the case of a burst of violence during an argument leading to death, the argument may constitute provocation.

Read more
Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary Manslaughter differs greatly in that there is a lack of intent to end someone’s life, instead being caused by reckless or negligent illegal behaviour.

The prosecution must prove that the death was a result of this behaviour, and that the defendant did not take reasonable care. For example, reckless driving causing death may be considered Involuntary Manslaughter.

Read more

Other specific Murder and Manslaughter related offences include:

  • Constructive Murder
  • Reckless Murder
  • Single Punch Manslaughter

Need a Criminal Lawyer in Melbourne for
a Murder or Manslaughter Offence?

Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Call James Dowsley & Associates on (03) 9781 4900 to speak to an experienced lawyer for immediate advice on Murder, Manslaughter and other related charges.

Request a Free Consultation

Key contacts

Speak to our criminal law specialists
Adrienna Kisvarda
Adrienna Kisvarda
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
(03) 9781 4900 - adriennak@jdalaw.com.au
Kymberley Skillen
Kymberley Skillen
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - kyms@jdalaw.com.au
Melainie Vinton
Melainie Vinton
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - melainiev@jdalaw.com.au
Scott Kaiser
Scott Kaiser
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
Scott was admitted into the Legal Profession in September 2019
03 9781 4900 - scottk@jdalaw.com.au
Stacey Stanley
Stacey Stanley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - staceys@jdalaw.com.au
Ben Hanley
Ben Hanley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - benh@jdalaw.com.au
Lorna Williamson
Lorna Williamson
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - lornaw@jdalaw.com.au
Anthony Maselli
Anthony Maselli
Criminal Defence Lawyer Melbourne
03 8602 1400 - anthonym@jdalaw.com.au
James Dowsley
James Dowsley
Principal & Accredited Criminal Law Specialist
James has been involved in the Criminal Justice System as a Lawyer for over 25 years and gained his Specialist Accreditation from the Law Institute of Victoria in 2002. Being a dedicated advocate for clients human rights, James has a passion for defending his clients in the Australian Courts.
03 8602 1400 - jamesd@jdalaw.com.au
Shaana Wilk
Shaana Wilk
Criminal Defence Lawyer Moorabbin/Highett
Since completing her Articles of Clerkship in Criminal Law and Commercial Litigation at Birch Ross & Barlow Solicitors, Shaana has practiced solely within the Criminal Law jurisdiction. Joining the JDA family in 2010, Shanna began her at our Frankston office. Since 2012 Shanna has been the sole solicitor at our Moorabbin/Highett office.
03 9555 4442 - shaanaw@jdalaw.com.au
Domenic Care
Domenic Care
Accredited Criminal Law Specialist – Criminal Defence Lawyer - Melbourne
Domenic Care joined James Dowsley & Associates in 2013. He appears regularly in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Children’s Court of Victoria for matters including plea hearings, contested bail applications and appeal hearings.
03 8602 1400 - domenicc@jdalaw.com.au
Kieran Reynolds
Kieran Reynolds
Accredited Criminal Law Specialist – Criminal Defence Lawyer
Kieran joined the JDA family in 2015 having worked at several large Criminal Law firms since 2004. He regularly appears in both the Magistrates Court and County Court in a diverse range of matters. Kieran was admitted as an Accredited Criminal Law Speciality in 2009 and has maintained his Specialist Accreditation every year since. He is committed to ensuring that the rights of his clients are upheld in court.
03 8602 1400 - kieranr@jdalaw.com.au
Brett Barratt
Brett Barratt
Criminal Defence Lawyer - Melbourne
Brett joined the JDA family in 2013 as a law clerk. He has since then worked as a paralegal at our Dandenong office between September 2015 and March 2016. Commencing as a Lawyer at our Frankston office in March 2016. He appears regularly on behalf of clients facing a range of summary and indictable criminal matters in the Magistrates’ Court. Brett also instructs counsel and assists in the preparation and running of complex indictable criminal cases in the County Court.
03 8602 1400 - brettb@jdalaw.com.au
Jackson McLeod
Jackson McLeod
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
Having previously interned at the Victorian Law Reform Commission, JobWatch Victoria and Refugee Legal and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Jackson has dedicated his career to providing access to justice to those who need it most. He regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court and has instructed in the County Court. Jackson applies his keen attention to detail and broad knowledge of the law to all of his matters, and capably and professionally handles pleas, bail applications and case conferences at the Magistrates’’ Court.
03 9781 4900 - jacksonm@jdalaw.com.au
Bridie O’Malley
Bridie O’Malley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
Bridie joined the JDA family in 2014 commencing as a volunteer law student, assisting in the formation of our Intervention Order section. Graduating to become a paralegal at our Dandenong office in 2016 and joining our team of lawyers in 2017.
03 8788 5600 - bridieo@jdalaw.com.au
Sally Abel
Sally Abel
Business Manager
03 8788 5600 - aghk@jdalaw.com.au
Lucy Mcphail
Lucy Mcphail
Office Manager
03 8788 5600 - lucym@jdalaw.com.au