Homicide Attorney in Bend

Trusted Guidance During High-Stakes Criminal Cases

When you face a homicide charge in Central Oregon, you need a legal team that combines deep experience with a strategic and practical approach based on local knowledge. At Ward Grover & Thomas, we bring over 50 years of combined experience as homicide criminal defense attorneys in Bend, representing individuals in both Oregon state and federal courts.

Our commitment includes detailed advice at every stage of your case. Those facing homicide charges in the Bend area encounter challenges because Oregon law defines each homicide charge clearly, with specific evidence requirements and penalties. Our thorough understanding of local court procedures, legal standards, and effects of community factors enables us to address these complexities directly.

Call (541) 312-5150 or fill out our online form to speak with our homicide attorney in Bend—we are Certified Criminal Law Specialists, and we offer free consultations. Do not answer questions from law enforcement without us.

Understanding Homicide Laws in Oregon

In Oregon, criminal homicide is not a single crime but a spectrum of offenses defined by the mental state—or mens rea—of the accused. The charge determines the severity of the penalties, making the distinction between murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide the most critical component of the case. Our first step is to aggressively challenge the state’s allegation regarding your mental state.

Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 163.005 defines criminal homicide as causing the death of another human being without justification or excuse, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence. The categories include:

Murder

• Aggravated Murder (ORS 163.095): The most serious charge, reserved for killings committed with specific aggravating factors (e.g., murder-for-hire, murder of a police officer, or murdering multiple victims). Penalties often include life imprisonment without parole.
• Murder in the First Degree (ORS 163.107): Generally applies to premeditated killings or certain types of intentional murder involving specific victims.
• Murder in the Second Degree (ORS 163.115): Committed when a person intentionally causes the death of another person. It can also be charged as Felony Murder—when a death occurs during the commission of another serious felony (like Robbery or Kidnapping), even if the death was not intended. A conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with a 25-year minimum.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter involves causing death without the intentionality required for murder, but with a heightened degree of culpability. Both are Measure 11 offenses carrying mandatory minimum prison terms.

• Manslaughter in the First Degree (ORS 163.118): Committed when a person recklessly causes death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life, or intentionally causes death while under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance (a potential defense to a murder charge). This is a Class A Felony with a mandatory minimum of 120 months (10 years) in prison.
• Manslaughter in the Second Degree (ORS 163.125): Committed when a person recklessly causes the death of another person. This is a Class B Felony with a mandatory minimum of 75 months (6.25 years) in prison.

Criminally Negligent Homicide

This is the least culpable form of criminal homicide, committed when a person causes death with criminal negligence. It is a Class B Felony and, unlike manslaughter, does not carry a mandatory minimum sentence, which is why a central defense strategy for any Bend homicide defense lawyer is fighting for this reduced charge.

The critical distinction in every homicide attorney in Bend case is whether the prosecution can prove the required mental state—intentional, knowing, reckless, or criminally negligent—beyond a reasonable doubt.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Homicide Defense

At Ward, Grover, & Thomas, our defense methodology is built on a foundation of Certified expertise and meticulous preparation. We are Certified Criminal Law Specialists, meaning our capabilities in complex defense are recognized at the highest level. We do not simply respond to the prosecution; we dictate the defense.

Our firm’s strategic defense in a homicide case focuses on one or more of the following paths:

• Self-Defense/Defense of Others: A complete justification for homicide. We meticulously build a case showing that our client reasonably believed the use of deadly force was necessary to defend themselves or another person from imminent use of deadly force. This requires detailed reconstruction of the event and often the use of use-of-force experts.
• Challenging Causation: In some cases, we challenge the link between the client's actions and the death. This can involve medical or accident reconstruction experts who testify that the victim's death was caused by an intervening factor or a pre-existing condition, not solely the client's conduct.
• Extreme Emotional Disturbance (EED): This is an affirmative defense that can reduce a charge of Murder down to Manslaughter in the First Degree, significantly lowering the minimum sentence exposure. We work with mental health professionals to prove that our client acted under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance, for which there was a reasonable explanation.
• Mental State Mitigation: The most common defense strategy employed by a seasoned homicide attorney in Bend. We work to persuade the jury or prosecutor that the accused’s state of mind was less culpable than charged, arguing for a reduction from Intentional (Murder) to Reckless (Manslaughter) to Criminally Negligent Homicide. This is often the most realistic and effective path to avoid a life sentence.

We leave no stone unturned in our mission to protect your freedom.

Key Stages in a Homicide Case in Deschutes County

If you or someone close to you faces a homicide charge in Bend, understanding the process helps reduce uncertainty. 

Every case presents distinct facts, but Oregon’s criminal court process usually includes these stages:

• Investigation & arrest: Law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office gather and review evidence, making an arrest if they find probable cause.
• Initial appearance: The court sets bail and presents charges under Oregon statutes during your first hearing.
• Discovery & pretrial motions: The defense and prosecution share evidence, and your attorney may file motions to exclude certain evidence or challenge procedures if appropriate.
• Trial: A judge or jury reviews the facts presented by both sides under Oregon law, considering only evidence legally admitted to the court.
• Sentencing, if convicted: Oregon law dictates mandatory minimum sentences for many homicide charges, and the court must follow those guidelines if a conviction occurs.

In Deschutes County, local courts usually set pretrial hearings shortly after your first appearance, so working closely with your defense lawyer from the beginning matters. During discovery, your legal team gains access to the prosecution’s evidence, which aids in building a thorough defense. 

With technical evidence or expert witnesses, early preparation helps ensure deadlines and court requirements are met. The timeline of each phase and the specific expectations of local judges play a pivotal role in each homicide case in Bend.

At every stage, you deserve a homicide defense attorney in Bend who communicates openly, offers practical insight about what to expect, and prioritizes your rights as the case moves through the court system.

Why Clients Choose Ward Grover & Thomas as Their Homicide Criminal Defense Lawyer in Bend

Our attorneys have earned a reputation for robust criminal defense in Bend that centers on each client’s unique needs. Homicide convictions in Oregon can mean lengthy prison sentences, lifelong consequences, and harsh mandatory penalties. 

Clients look to us for:

• Decades of courtroom experience: We bring more than fifty years of dedicated criminal defense experience to every homicide case.
• Strategic local defense: Our knowledge of Deschutes County courts lets us tailor strategies to local procedures, judicial practices, and prosecutorial approaches.
• Comprehensive defense from the start: We guide clients from the earliest investigation through every court appearance and trial.
• Resourceful investigation & analysis: Our team works with investigators and experts to review all evidence, helping us build strong, evidence-based strategies.
• Constant focus on your rights: We prioritize your legal protections at every stage, from interactions with law enforcement through the close of your case.

Clear communication is the foundation of our client relationship. In decades of representing homicide cases in Deschutes County, we have cultivated insight into how local judges and prosecutors approach serious criminal charges. Many clients value our proactive updates, practical advice, and steady support from arrest through resolution. Our mission is to equip you with knowledge and confidence throughout a challenging process.

Contact Our Bend Homicide Defense Attorney Today

If you or your family faces a homicide charge, reach out for honest legal guidance from a trusted homicide lawyer in Bend. At Ward Grover & Thomas, we provide clear answers, in-depth support, and steadfast advocacy for your rights at every stage of your case. 

Contact us online or call (541) 312-5150 now to discuss your unique situation and take the next step toward a skilled, personalized defense.