Alexandria, LA Murder Defense Lawyer

Murder Defense Lawyer in Alexandria, LA

The stakes could not be higher when facing murder charges in Alexandria, Louisiana. The consequences of a successful conviction can have life-altering repercussions, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. Facing these charges necessitates a skilled defense rooted in the unique legal landscape of Rapides Parish. If you find yourself investigated for, accused, or charged with murder, an Alexandria, LA, murder defense lawyer is here to help.

From the historic streets of downtown Alexandria to the sleepy neighborhoods of Airview Terrace, the team at LaCour Law Firm is here to protect your rights. We understand the local court system, the prosecutors assigned to these cases, and the overall legal pulse of Rapides Parish. For years, we have been fighting for clients just like you and are not afraid to go to trial to argue your defense before a judge and jury. Call us today, and there’s no time to waste.

Defining Murder in Alexandria

In 2023 alone, 18 homicides were reported by the Alexandria Police Department to the FBI. A large majority of these cases were those of a domestic nature and often involved a secondary gun offense charge. When facing charges of this nature, it is beneficial to your case to understand exactly how the killing of another individual is defined in Louisiana.

Homicide is a legal term used to describe the killing of a human being by another. The term homicide might not necessarily mean that you have committed an illegal act. In fact, killing another individual in self-defense can be considered a non-criminal act of homicide. However, on the flip side, a criminal act of homicide is the unlawful killing of another individual, and there are several different types of homicide, each with varying degrees.

First and Second Degree Murder

Murder, on the other hand, is the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought. In Louisiana, there are two main degrees of murder that an individual can face charges for, including:

• First-degree murder. This can include any act of killing another human being when the alleged offender has the specific intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm on the victim. It can also include cases where the alleged offender has attempted or engaged in the perpetration of the following acts:
  • aggravated kidnapping
  • second-degree kidnapping
  • aggravated arson
  • aggravated escape
  • aggravated burglary
  • armed robbery
  • Terrorism
  • Cruelty to juveniles
  • Second-degree cruelty to juveniles
  • First or second-degree robbery
  • Assault by drive-by shooting
  • Aggravated or first-degree rape
  • Forcible or second-degree rape
• Second-degree murder. This can include the killing of another human being when the alleged offender has a specific intent to kill or cause bodily harm to the victim. If you are found guilty of second-degree murder in Louisiana, the only penalty is life in prison.

Depending on the exact nature of the case, there are several different penalties an individual might find themselves facing if they are successfully convicted of a murder charge in Alexandria. These penalties will either include life imprisonment or capital forms of punishment, as the state of Louisiana still enacts the death penalty in certain cases. However, between 2011-2024, the state saw no executions. 2025, so far, has seen only one.

How the Team at LaCour Law Firm Can Help

Murder charges, whatever the circumstances, are challenging and extremely high-profile. The prosecutors assigned to these cases are often extremely tough on crime and take their jobs seriously. You deserve a legal advocate willing to go to bat for you with just as much gravitas. At LaCour Law Firm, we are here to fight and are not afraid of bringing your case before a judge and jury in a courtroom trial. With years of practice, we have what it takes to protect your rights.

In every case, from the moment we are brought on to fight for you, we do not rest until justice has been secured. When you face the criminal justice system in Louisiana, the odds are not in your favor, and the outcome of your case will ultimately depend on the ability of your defense attorney. You need someone who is battle-tested, and there is no one better than the experienced team at LaCour Law Firm.

We are known for our passion, fight, and our ability to win even the toughest of murder cases. Let us review your case, uncover necessary evidence, and ultimately fight tooth and nail to seek an acquittal or lighter sentencing, depending on what your unique case allows.

Common Defenses for Louisiana Murder Charges

The idea of facing life without parole, or even the death penalty, is understandably terrifying. A murder conviction in Alexandria can come with steep consequences, and there is simply no way around it, so you need an attorney who understands the details of your case and the right course of legal action to take in your defense. Depending on the circumstances of your case, there are several defense strategies that may be employed, including:

• Suffering a Mistaken Identity: In certain situations, an innocent individual may be charged with a crime due to the mistaken identity of the actual perpetrator of the crime. There are several different factors that can lead to a mistaken identity, including poor visibility, faulty memory, suffering a malicious accusation, and being misidentified in a lineup or photo array. Your attorney can argue that the prosecution has charged the wrong person.
• Insanity: This defense can be used in a wide array of crimes and is widely recognized as a defense for murder. When this defense is used, it means that the defendant is suffering from a mental condition that diminishes their mental responsibility and is impaired in a way that does not allow them to realize that their act was wrong.
• Self-Defense: The most recognized defense for murder is that of self-defense, or that you were acting in self-defense or in the defense of others who were being attacked with life-threatening force. For this defense to stand, however, you will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that harm was imminent to you and/or your loved ones if you had not taken the action you did.
• The Occurrence of an Accident: Your attorney might be able to use this defense if you are able to prove that you have no criminal intent to cause the victim harm, that your actions were not due to any culpable negligence, and that you were acting in accordance with the law at the time of the alleged murder.

Alexandria Murder Defense Lawyer

At LaCour Law Firm, we are your favorite lawyer’s favorite lawyer. We are the team to trust with your murder charge in Alexandria. The stakes cannot be higher in these cases, and we are here to fight for you and protect your rights every step of the way. With our past as public defenders, we know that we have the knowledge and experience to give your case the upper hand.

Contact our offices today to learn more about our legal services, and let us ensure that you don’t go down without a fight.