Aggravated assault, manslaughter, and murder, are among the most serious with which a person can be charged.

If you are facing a charge of seriously injuring or killing someone, or attempting to do so, you need the best legal representation possible. It could mean the difference between spending the rest of your life in jail and walking free.

An experienced criminal defense attorney is all that stands between you and a “justice system” with lots of resources and manpower devoted to convicting criminals. The prosecutors you face have brought thousands of charges and tried hundreds of cases. Without a skilled advocate on your side, your rights and future are at risk, even if you are innocent.

Attorney Eric Derleth is known as “the Trial Guy” because of his over 25 years of defending clients in the courtrooms of Alaska. Known for his intensive trial preparation and his skill in communicating with juries, Eric is often successful in getting charges reduced or dismissed even before trial. When a case does go to trial, Eric outthinks, outprepares, and outworks the prosecution in order to protect his clients’ rights.

Violent Crime in Alaska

A violent crime is one in which a person is physically harmed or threatened with physical harm. While weapons are often involved in violent crime, it is possible to be charged with a violent crime even if there was no weapon used. Violent crimes in Alaska include:

  • Assault and battery
  • Arson
  • Domestic violence
  • Kidnapping
  • Manslaughter
  • Murder and homicide
  • Robbery

Murder Charges in Alaska

Murder is the most serious of crimes, and the penalty for this crime is harsh, including imprisonment of 20-99 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

In Alaska, murder charges are divided into two categories: first-degree and second-degree murder. First-degree murder is a premeditated and deliberate killing, or a killing that occurred during an attempt to commit a sex crime or kidnapping against someone under the age of 16. Second-degree murder involves a death that was not intentional, but which occurred during an attempt to cause severe injury, or during conduct that shows extreme indifference to human life. A death that occurs during the commission of certain felonies may also be charged as second-degree murder.

Assault and Battery Charges

Assault means putting another person in fear of unwanted contact or imminent bodily harm; battery means actually physically striking or offensively touching the victim. Assault and battery can be charged criminally, and are also considered intentional torts for which a victim can sue in civil court. Penalties for criminal charges of assault can include imprisonment of up to 20 years and fines of up to $250,000 for the most serious cases.

If You Are Charged with a Violent Crime in Alaska

If you have been charged with a violent crime in Alaska, or are afraid that you might be, remember that the police are not on your side. It is critical that you retain an attorney as quickly as possible and do not speak to the police without your attorney present.

The facts about what happened leading up to or during a violent crime are often unclear. There are cases of mistaken identity. A person accused of acting violently may really have been acting in self-defense or defense of others; a person accused of planning a violent act may instead have acted impulsively in the heat of the moment. Your fate can turn on seemingly minor facts about your case.

The job of the police is to arrest someone for a crime. The job of a prosecutor is to charge and convict the accused. Without the representation of an experienced Alaska criminal defense attorney, you could find yourself locked in a narrative that doesn’t reflect the truth, and which ends in your imprisonment. Court-appointed defense attorneys do their best, but they often have a heavy caseload and lack the experience and resources of a privately-retained attorney. With so much at stake, hiring the best attorney you can find is an investment in your future.

Alaska native Eric Derleth has been defending clients in Alaska against serious criminal charges, including violent crimes, for over 25 years. He knows Alaska criminal law, as well as the courts and culture of our state. Widely respected for his courtroom skill, “the Trial Guy” is much more than a nickname. Eric is the attorney you want on your side, especially if your case must go before a jury.

Based in Soldotna, Eric serves the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Juneau, Fairbanks, and other areas throughout Alaska. Call Eric at 907-262-9164 or contact our law office today to schedule your free, confidential consultation.