ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Attempted Murder & Related Charges | Haskell & Dyer
These Charges Have Demanding Elements. We Make the State Prove Every One.
Attempted murder, conspiracy, and felony murder each carry severe penalties and complex elements. We dissect exactly what the State must prove and hold it to that burden, piece by piece.
If You're Facing This
Say nothing to police. Call a lawyer immediately.
These charges carry penalties as serious as a completed homicide, and they often rest on intent, words, and association, things easily twisted from a statement. With years or life on the line, the most important step is to stay silent and have a defense lawyer at your side before any questioning.
Three Distinct Charges
What the State Has to Prove for Each
These charges look alike from the outside, but each has its own demanding elements. Every element is a place the defense can fight.
Attempt
Attempted Murder
Charged when a killing was intended but did not happen. It is among the most demanding charges to prove.
- A specific intent to kill
- A substantial step toward it
- More than just planning or talk
Conspiracy
Conspiracy
Charged when two or more people are accused of agreeing to commit a crime, even if it never happened.
- An actual agreement
- Intent to carry it out
- Not mere presence or knowledge
Felony Murder
Felony Murder
Charged when a death occurs during certain serious felonies, even without an intent to kill.
- A qualifying underlying felony
- A death during that felony
- The required legal connection
What's at Stake
As Serious as a Completed Homicide
These are not lesser charges. The penalties can rival or match those for murder itself.
Life
Exposure that can reach a life sentence
Severe
Penalties rivaling a completed homicide
Multiple
Charges that can stack on top of one another
Record
A violent felony conviction that follows you
How We Defend These Charges
Each of these charges is built on a chain of elements. Break one link, and the charge can fail.
We Attack Intent
Attempt and conspiracy both turn on a specific intent. If the State cannot prove it, the charge cannot stand.
We Test the Agreement
In conspiracy cases, presence or knowledge is not an agreement. We press hard on whether a real agreement existed.
We Challenge Felony Murder
We attack the underlying felony and the legal connection the State needs to tie a death to it.
We Hold the Burden
Every element must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We make the State prove each one and challenge the rest.
Common Questions
Attempted Murder & Related, Answered
How can I face life if no one died?
Attempted murder and conspiracy are charged based on intent and conduct, not on whether a death occurred, and they can carry penalties as serious as a completed homicide. That is exactly why the defense focuses so hard on whether the State can actually prove the demanding elements each charge requires.
What does the State have to prove for attempted murder?
Generally, a specific intent to kill plus a substantial step toward carrying it out, more than planning or talk. It is one of the most demanding charges to prove. If the intent or the substantial step is missing, the charge can fail or drop to something far less serious.
Can I be charged with conspiracy just for being there?
No. Mere presence, or even knowing about a crime, is not a conspiracy. The State has to prove an actual agreement to commit the crime and the intent to carry it out. That distinction is often a real weakness in conspiracy cases, and we press on it directly.
How can I be charged with murder if I didn't kill anyone?
Felony murder allows a death during certain serious felonies to be charged as murder, even without an intent to kill, and even against someone who did not cause the death directly. We challenge the underlying felony and whether the legal connection the doctrine requires actually exists.
What should I do right now?
Say nothing to police and call a lawyer immediately. These charges often rest on intent, words, and association, all easily twisted from a statement. The cases are won on early decisions and on holding the State to every element, so getting a defense involved right away matters enormously.
Charged With Attempted Murder, Conspiracy, or Felony Murder? Call Now.
These charges are as serious as they come, and they rest on elements the State has to prove. Tell us what happened and get an honest read on how we challenge each one. The first conversation is free and confidential.
Arrested or being questioned? Call our 24/7 line now: 240-687-0179