Homicide Attorney in Jacksonville

I Prosecuted Homicide Cases. Now I Defend Them.

When law enforcement contacts you about a homicide, every conversation that follows carries legal weight. At Mitchell A. Stone, P.A., I defend clients facing the full range of homicide charges in Jacksonville and throughout Florida, including cases that begin as investigations before any arrest is made. Duval County Circuit Court handles felony homicide matters locally, and I take cases across Northeast Florida and statewide.

My approach is straightforward: I won’t take a case intending to plead a client guilty. My job is to hold investigators, prosecutors, and courts accountable to their constitutional burden of proof. Homicide charges can carry consequences ranging from lengthy prison terms to the death penalty, and what happens in the earliest hours of an investigation can shape the entire defense. Retaining counsel before charges are formally filed isn’t just advisable. It’s strategic.

If you or someone you know is under investigation or has been charged with homicide in Jacksonville, call Mitchell A. Stone, P.A. now at (904) 263-5005 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why My Time on the Prosecution’s Homicide Team Changes How I Defend You

Early in my career, I served as an assistant state attorney and was promoted to the prosecution’s homicide team. That position taught me how police investigate murders, how prosecutors build capital cases, and where those cases are most vulnerable. When I crossed to the defense, I brought that framework with me.

I’m board-certified in criminal trial advocacy by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization, under the jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court, and I’ve practiced in criminal courts for 35 years. I’ve served as the 33rd President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and my trial work has drawn recognition from fellow defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges alike. None of those credentials matter unless they translate into a defense that actively fights for each client, and that’s the commitment I make when I take a homicide case.

Florida Homicide Charges: Understanding the Spectrum

Homicide is the broadest legal term for one person causing the death of another. Florida law recognizes multiple categories under Chapter 782 of the Florida Statutes, from capital felonies punishable by death or life without parole down to second-degree felony charges carrying up to 15 years. Not every killing is a crime. Excusable and justifiable homicides are recognized categories that can provide a complete legal defense when the facts support them.

I handle the full range of homicide matters, including:

• Capital murder and first-degree murder
• Second-degree murder and felony murder (where a death occurs during the commission of another felony)
• Attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder
• Manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and DUI manslaughter
• Grand jury proceedings
• Federal criminal homicide defense

DUI manslaughter is a distinct charge with its own statutory elements and penalty ranges, arising when a driver causes a death while operating under the influence. The charge ultimately filed depends on what the prosecution believes it can prove, and early defense intervention can influence both whether charges are brought and at what level. For charge-specific depth on murder and manslaughter degrees and their penalty ranges, my Murder and Manslaughter page covers that material in detail.

Defense Strategies I Use in Jacksonville Homicide Cases

Every homicide case turns on specific facts, and the prosecution must prove each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Identifying which element is weakest is often where a successful defense begins.

Common Defense Approaches

• Fourth Amendment suppression motions to exclude evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights. When key evidence is suppressed, the prosecution may not be able to meet its burden at trial.
• Stand Your Ground immunity hearings under Florida’s justifiable use of deadly force statute, which provides a complete defense when a person uses force to resist an attempt to commit murder or another felony against them. A successful hearing can result in dismissal before trial.
• Causation challenges that contest whether the defendant’s actions actually caused the death as required under the charged statute.
• Alibi defense, which requires advance written notice to the prosecution under Florida law. Retaining counsel early protects the right to present this defense.
• Witness and informant challenges that expose credibility problems in the prosecution’s case before and during trial.

Early Intervention Before Charges Are Filed

The period between investigation contact and formal charging is often when the most consequential decisions are made. When possible, I intervene before charges are filed, and that early presence can shape what the prosecution ultimately pursues.

Results in Murder, Manslaughter, & Homicide Defense

Past results don’t predict future outcomes, but they reflect what aggressive, well-prepared defense has produced in real cases.

• Stand Your Ground immunity obtained in an attempted murder case, resulting in dismissal before trial
• Not guilty verdict in a DUI manslaughter case after a four-day jury trial in May 2021
• Not guilty verdict in a second, separate DUI manslaughter case
• DUI manslaughter charges dismissed after successfully challenging causation
• First-degree murder charge reduced to accessory after the fact through early evidence challenge; client received a 13-month sentence rather than facing the death penalty
• In a federal murder conspiracy and police corruption case, my client was among the only defendants not convicted of any major felony charge related to the murder, receiving probation while co-defendants were sentenced to life in prison

Get a Free Consultation With a Jacksonville Homicide Lawyer

If you’re facing a homicide charge or believe you’re under investigation, don’t wait. Speaking to law enforcement without an attorney can produce statements the prosecution can use against you at trial, even if you’re only trying to clear up a misunderstanding. I offer free, confidential consultations, and payment plans are available. Mitchell A. Stone, P.A. serves Jacksonville, Northeast Florida, and clients throughout Florida and beyond.

Call Mitchell A. Stone, P.A. at (904) 263-5005 to speak with me directly about your case.