Second-Degree Murder

Before a person can be convicted of second-degree murder in Florida, the prosecution must prove the following three things beyond a reasonable doubt:

The victim is dead.
The victim’s death was caused by the criminal act of the accused.
There was an unlawful killing of the victim by an act imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a depraved mind without regard for human life.

An act is "imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a depraved mind" if it is an act or series of acts that:

A person of ordinary judgment would know is reasonably certain to kill or do serious bodily injury to another, and
Is done from ill will, hatred, spite, or an evil intent, and
Is of such a nature that the act itself indicates an indifference to human life.

In order to convict someone of second-degree murder, it is not necessary for the prosecutor to prove that the accused person had an intent to cause the victim’s death.

Why Choose Ronald S. Chapman, P.A.?

I Know How Palm Beach Courts Work — Having defended clients for decades in Palm Beach County, I know how the judges and prosecutors think and operate.

Highly Reviewed & Rated — Highly rated on Google, 5-star rating on respected legal website Avvo. See some of our client reviews.

Respected in the Legal Community — Written about in “The Globe” by a jury foreman for his excellent defense.

Privacy — I safeguard your identity, the details of your case, and our strategy to protect your reputation.

Confidential Case Assessment — During your phone assessment, I will listen to you and help you determine your next steps.

Highly Responsive — I pride myself on fast response times when communicating with our clients. I will never let your questions or concerns go unaddressed.

No Case Is Too Difficult or Complex — This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. I do what is necessary, even in complex cases.

Straight Shooters — Your situation requires honesty from both you and me. We’ll tell you what you need to know, not necessarily what you want to hear. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as possible to get your life back to normal sooner.

Caring & Compassionate (Truly) — I truly understand the complications criminal charges can bring upon individuals and their families.

I Keep You Updated — Transparency is key. I want you to know what’s happening with your case at all points in the process.

Experienced — With over 36 years of experience and 500 jury trials and hearings, I have defended clients who have found themselves in situations probably just like yours.

Why Choose Ronald S. Chapman, P.A.?

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