Champaign First-Degree Murder Defense Attorneys

If you have been charged with murder in the first degree, we are here to help. This experience can be for harrowing for anyone to face. A murder charge can seriously jeopardize your personal reputation, your future career or employment opportunities, and your family’s sense of well-being. We at Bruno Law Offices fully understand that you are deeply concerned both for your future and your family’s future.

Bruno Law Offices is a family law firm and the premier criminal defense firm of central Illinois. Thomas Bruno opened the law offices in 1980, immediately after he began his private practice. His sons, Anthony and Evan, have now joined the firm. Together, they have created a team of Champaign first-degree murder defense lawyers who rank among the top criminal defense firms in downstate Illinois.

The majority of our clients come to us during very challenging times in their lives. Bruno Law Offices not only defends caring for people facing serious charges but also takes crisis management very seriously. That’s why we’re available at any hour of the day or night. Contact us right now at (217) 328-6000 so we can provide you with the full range of available resources and legal options.

Why Do I Need a Defense Lawyer?

If you have been charged with first-degree murder, a state or county prosecutor may have already been assigned to you. However, these attorneys are often alarmingly overloaded with cases and may not be able to give your case the attention it deserves.

Because a criminal conviction of this magnitude may cut you off completely from your future goals and livelihood, it is crucial that your defense attorney maintains a razor-sharp focus on the potential avenues for getting your charges reversed.

Furthermore, a first-degree murder conviction can result in dire consequences for your reputation as a working professional, a community member, a friend, a family member, and a parent. Such a conviction can also leave your family stranded without a caregiver or income provider. Because a first-degree murder conviction will undoubtedly result in the most difficult of personal and financial consequences, we urge you to contact the criminal defense attorneys at Bruno Law Offices today.

Why Hire Bruno Law Offices to Handle My Case?

With over 35 years of experience, Bruno Law Offices has risen to become the gold standard among criminal defense attorneys in central Illinois. Our firm focuses solely on the defense of major criminal cases in both federal and state courts. We have defended cases covered by both national and world news outlets. Moreover, we have been providing empathetic, full-service legal representation to clients in central Illinois and Champaign-Urbana since 1980. The highly knowledgeable defense attorneys at Bruno Law Offices have won thousands of cases, reversing countless serious charges against our clients. We specialize in defending our clients against first-degree murder charges and in addressing every personal need that arises for you and your family in this extremely difficult situation.

Defending Against Murder Charges

At Bruno Law Offices, we also want to ensure that you are clear on your options moving forward. In order to understand how a murder conviction will affect you, first let’s look at how the law defines first-degree murder. In short, murder constitutes the act of killing another person with intent. It is the most serious charge that our clients face.

While it is generally clear how the law defines the term murder, many people may not know what circumstances separate first degree and second-degree murder. First-degree murder means that the criminal justice system has charged you with harboring the intent to kill one or multiple persons with premeditation. In other words, the prosecutors believe that the person charged has made a plan to kill someone and has waited for the right opportunity to kill that person or persons.

On the other hand, while the definition of second-degree murder varies depending upon the circumstances of the case, there is generally no premeditation involved. This is not necessarily a “heat of the moment” charge, however. This type of killing can result merely from recklessness when a person acts without care for the risk to other persons involved.

Lastly, in Champaign, prosecutors also have the option to enforce the felony murder rule. This law states that if a death occurs in connection with a violent felony offense, the person committing the violent crime may be charged with first-degree murder. Violent felony offenses may include robbery, burglary, arson, rape, or other forms of assault.

Champaign Defense Lawyers Are Here to Help

No one wants to lose their job, their family, and their future due to a murder conviction. We are highly knowledgeable in all matters pertaining to Illinois’ murder laws and conviction process. Additionally, at Bruno Law Offices, our attorneys are adept in defending felony charges of the highest level, including first-degree murder charges.

We are not merely a law firm, however. Our attorneys are committed to providing you with the comprehensive crisis management you and your family deserve throughout your legal defense process. At Bruno Law Offices, we are dedicated to giving you the resources and guidance you need to keep your life on track. We will do everything within our power to get your charges dropped or reduced.

Whatever the situation surrounding your first-degree murder charge, call Bruno Law Offices today at (217) 328-6000 for a completely confidential consultation. You can also contact us online or chat with us live right now.