A.R.S. § 13-1105
First-Degree Murder
Includes specified killings with premeditation and other statutory circumstances, including defined felony-murder situations. It is a class 1 felony with special sentencing rules. Read the statute.
Facing a murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide allegation can put your freedom and future at risk. The Law Office of Joel Chorny helps people in Tucson understand Arizona homicide charges, examine critical evidence and make informed decisions about their defense.
Serving Tucson, Pima County and clients throughout Arizona.
Arizona defines criminal homicide as first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide. Each offense has different required elements and potential consequences. The charge, evidence, alleged mental state and surrounding circumstances matter. A.R.S. § 13-1101 provides the statutory starting point.
An investigation may involve multiple agencies, medical and forensic specialists, electronic records and witness accounts. A well-prepared defense evaluates what the state can actually prove, rather than accepting the initial allegations as established facts.
Attorney Joel Chorny's firm represents people facing serious criminal accusations in Tucson. The goal of an early consultation is to understand the precise charge, court deadlines and options available under the law.
The term “homicide” covers several distinct criminal offenses. The classification depends on the statute, the alleged conduct and the evidence—not merely the fact that a death occurred.
Includes specified killings with premeditation and other statutory circumstances, including defined felony-murder situations. It is a class 1 felony with special sentencing rules. Read the statute.
Addresses specified intentional, knowing or extremely reckless killings without premeditation. It is a class 1 felony with its own sentencing provisions. Read the statute.
Includes recklessly causing death and certain other circumstances expressly defined by Arizona law, including qualifying heat-of-passion situations. It is a class 2 felony. Read the statute.
Involves causing death through criminal negligence. Criminal negligence is a specific legal standard and is not the same as every ordinary accident. It is a class 4 felony. Read the statute.
A homicide defense may involve forensic specialists, investigators and a close review of how evidence was collected, interpreted and disclosed. For example, a medical finding may need to be considered alongside witness accounts, recordings and the timing of events.
Legal questions can include identification, intent, causation, the admissibility of statements, constitutional protections and whether the evidence satisfies the elements of the charged offense. A defense must be grounded in the evidence actually available.
Related allegations may involve violent-crime charges or weapons charges. Each requires separate legal analysis.
A.R.S. § 13-404 addresses the use or threat of physical force in self-defense. A.R.S. § 13-405 sets additional requirements for deadly physical force, including whether a reasonable person would believe it immediately necessary to respond to another's unlawful deadly force.
Arizona's no-duty-to-retreat provision has conditions; it is not a blanket authorization to use deadly force. If sufficient evidence supports a justification defense under Chapter 4, A.R.S. § 13-205 places the burden on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the conduct was not justified.
Whether self-defense or defense of another applies depends on the facts. A person should not assume the law automatically permits or prohibits a particular action.
Homicide charges can involve lengthy incarceration and other serious consequences. First-degree murder is governed by special life-sentence and death-penalty provisions. Second-degree murder has separate sentencing rules under A.R.S. § 13-710. Manslaughter and negligent homicide carry different felony classifications.
The death penalty is not automatic upon a first-degree murder allegation or conviction. Whether capital sentencing is legally available depends on the charge, statutory eligibility, notices and procedures under § 13-751 and § 13-752.
Only a case-specific review can address realistic sentencing exposure, possible litigation and available resolution options.
Arizona courts generally require an arrested person to receive an initial appearance within 24 hours or be released from custody. At this hearing, the court addresses the allegations, rights and release conditions; it does not decide guilt.
Subsequent steps may involve disclosure, expert examination, motions, negotiations and trial. The process and timeline can vary significantly in complex felony cases.
Identify the alleged offense, statutory elements, court deadlines and any release conditions.
Identify available documents, recordings, witnesses and forensic materials that may matter.
Consider identification, intent, causation, reliability, admissibility and possible defenses.
Evaluate motions, negotiations, trial preparation and other case-specific options.
The firm's published case-results page describes a first-degree murder case in which a veteran argued self-defense and was acquitted at trial. This is an account reported by the firm, not a prediction of what will happen in another matter.
Read the firm's published case result. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Every case is different. A homicide allegation requires close analysis of the specific incident, evidence, statutory elements, and procedural posture. The outcome of a past case cannot establish the likely result of a new case.
Attorney Joel Chorny represents clients in Tucson criminal proceedings, including serious felony allegations. The firm's work includes reviewing the charges and evidence, explaining the legal process and preparing an appropriate defense strategy.
To learn more about his background, visit Attorney Joel Chorny's profile, or contact the office about a consultation.
These answers provide general information, not legal advice for any particular case.
Review the current statutory text and official court guidance. The applicable law, interpretation and available defenses depend on the facts and procedural posture of each case.
Statutory elements, classifications and references to special sentencing provisions.
Intentional, knowing and specified reckless killing without premeditation.
Reckless homicide and other specified statutory circumstances.
Criminal negligence and classification.
Statutory requirements and conditions for deadly physical force.
How justification defenses affect the prosecution's burden.
Special sentencing law for qualifying first-degree murder convictions.
Official explanation of initial appearance and common proceedings.
General legal education only. Statutes and procedures may change, and not every provision applies to every matter. Consult an Arizona attorney about your individual circumstances.
Whether you have been contacted by investigators or formally charged with murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide, legal guidance can help you understand the immediate issues in your case.
177 N Church Ave, Suite 1100, Tucson, AZ 85701
This content is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship; representation is subject to appropriate screening and an engagement agreement. Past case results do not guarantee future outcomes.