Murder & Homicide Offences
Homicide allegations are among the most serious charges under Canadian criminal law and carry life-altering consequences.
Ivy Law provides strategic representation for individuals facing Murder & Homicide offences in Alberta and British Columbia. These matters demand disciplined preparation, careful evidence analysis, and a defence strategy built for high-stakes litigation from the earliest stage.
Our defence lawyers represent clients throughout Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Vancouver, Surrey, and Abbotsford, providing clear guidance and experienced advocacy where liberty and lifelong consequences are at stake.
Get the legal guidance you need. Contact IVY Law for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case, understand your options, and take the first step toward protecting your rights.
Key Takeaways
- Murder and Homicide cases depend on intent, causation, and the reliability of complex evidence
- Homicide includes murder, manslaughter, and infanticide
- These prosecutions often involve expert evidence and circumstantial proof
- Self-defence and other legal defences must be assessed early and carefully
- Early legal intervention can shape bail, disclosure strategy, and trial preparation
Criminal Defence Representation
Homicide prosecutions move fast and remain intense for the life of the case. The early stage often involves detention decisions, high scrutiny of statements, and extensive disclosure. Strategic defence work at the beginning can protect legal rights, preserve key issues, and prevent the case from being defined by one-sided narratives.
Understanding Murder & Homicide Offences
Homicide is defined under s.222 Criminal Code, with murder defined under s.229 Criminal Code. First-degree and second-degree murder classifications are addressed under s.231 Criminal Code, and manslaughter is governed under s.234 Criminal Code.
Where applicable, defences may include self-defence under s.34 Criminal Code. These matters often turn on whether the Crown can prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt, whether causation is established, and whether the evidence supports an alternative lawful explanation.
How We Help
- Conduct a thorough review of disclosure, expert reports, and forensic evidence
- Assess intent, causation, and available legal defences
- Challenge unlawful searches, statements, and Charter breaches where applicable
- Develop a litigation strategy aligned to the evidence and legal issues
- Provide trial and appellate advocacy where required
The Defence Process
- Immediate review of the allegations, detention posture, and disclosure status
- Strategic assessment of intent, causation, and expert evidence
- Court advocacy through bail, applications, pre-trial litigation, and trial
- Resolution focused on protecting rights and minimizing long-term consequences
Common Charges & Scenarios
- Homicide definitions under s.222 Criminal Code
- Murder under s.229 Criminal Code
- First- or second-degree classification under s.231 Criminal Code
- Manslaughter under s.234 Criminal Code
- Self-defence analysis under s.34 Criminal Code
Frequently Asked Questions
Get quick answers to questions clients frequently ask before working with our firm.
The distinction often depends on intent and how the law applies to the facts. Murder requires proof of intent as set out in the Code, while manslaughter involves unlawful killing without that level of intent.
Not always. The path depends on the evidence, legal issues, and litigation strategy, but these files require trial-level preparation from the start.
It can, depending on the facts and whether the legal requirements under the Criminal Code are met.
Because detention, statements, and early investigative steps can shape the entire prosecution and the available defence strategy.
Your Story Matters. Let's Talk.
The Right Next Step Starts with a Conversation
You don't need to have every answer before speaking with a lawyer. Sometimes, you simply need someone to listen, explain your options, and help you understand what comes next.
At Ivy Law, we're here to help you navigate life's legal challenges with personalized guidance and a clear path forward.