Manslaughter

Manslaughter Attorney in Westchester County

Criminal Defense for Felony Homicide Charges in Westchester County

A manslaughter charge in New York is a felony-level homicide offense that can carry years, even decades, in state prison. Homicide investigations move fast. From the moment law enforcement focuses on you as a suspect, the case can progress toward felony arraignment and grand jury proceedings before you’ve had meaningful time to respond. Retaining a manslaughter lawyer early in the process matters.

Speak with a Westchester County manslaughter attorney today. Protect your rights and build a strong defense. Contact us or call (914) 875-2065. Available 24/7.

A Trial-First Defense Built on Prosecutorial Experience

We bring over 150 years of combined trial experience in state and federal courts to every case we take. Attorneys at Portale Randazzo LLP have stood before juries, cross-examined witnesses, and argued contested issues at the highest stakes. We prepare every matter for trial from day one because when prosecutors know you’re ready to go to trial, it changes the dynamics of the entire case.

Attorneys Richard Portale and James Randazzo are former Westchester County prosecutors. They understand how the District Attorney’s Office builds a homicide case, what evidence it relies on, and where arguments are most effectively challenged. That perspective is applied directly to your defense. Both attorneys have been selected to Super Lawyers, and our team works with you to gather supporting evidence, construct a criminal defense strategy, and answer every question so you retain full control over the decisions in your case.

How We Approach Every Manslaughter Defense

Four principles shape the way we work, and all four apply when the stakes are as high as a manslaughter charge:

Awake and Always Ready: We stay fully engaged and alert, prepared to identify the right moment and act decisively inside and outside the courtroom.
Purpose-Driven Advocacy: Your case, your outcome, and your future guide every strategy we build. Nothing else.
Unbreakable Resolve: We bring grit and determination to every fight, regardless of how complex or high-stakes the case becomes.
Integrity-Led Representation: We operate with accountability, honesty, and loyalty to what is right, guided by principle rather than pressure.

Former Prosecutors and Investigators Who Know This County’s System

Richard Portale began his career in the elite Narcotics and Gangs Bureaus of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, where he built an unblemished conviction record that included the prosecution of the county’s largest cash seizure and forfeiture. James Randazzo served as an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester County from 1989 through 1995, trying more than 30 cases to verdict. They don’t just know criminal defense. They know this county’s system from the inside.

Michael Duffy, a key member of our team, served as Chief Investigator for the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. He headed a squad of 38 investigators and oversaw organized crime, financial crime, public integrity, and internet sex crime investigations, as well as the county’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area unit. His investigative background adds a layer of factual scrutiny to how we examine the prosecution’s evidence.

Contact Our Manslaughter Attorney in Westchester County

A manslaughter charge demands a defense team that understands the court, the prosecutors, and what’s at stake. We’re ready to hear the facts of your situation and begin working on your behalf.

Call (914) 875-2065 or contact us to speak with a manslaughter attorney in Westchester County about your case.

New York Manslaughter Charges: Degrees, Penalties, and Defenses

New York Penal Law Article 125 defines two degrees of manslaughter, each tied to a different mental state and carrying different consequences. Understanding how these charges are structured, how they compare to other homicide offenses, and how a case moves through court gives important context to anyone facing this situation in Westchester County.

Manslaughter in the First and Second Degree

Manslaughter in the first degree under Penal Law 125.20 applies when a person intends to cause serious physical injury to another person and that injury results in death. It is classified as a Class B felony and carries a sentence of up to 25 years in state prison. Extreme emotional disturbance, a recognized affirmative defense in which a defendant’s conduct results from a loss of self-control triggered by a qualifying event, can reduce an intentional killing that would otherwise be charged as murder to this degree.

Manslaughter in the second degree under Penal Law 125.15 applies when a person recklessly causes the death of another person. Recklessness means consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk. This violent crime offense is classified as a Class C felony and carries a sentence of up to 15 years in state prison.

How Manslaughter Differs from Murder and Criminally Negligent Homicide

The distinction between homicide offenses in New York often comes down to the defendant’s mental state at the time of the act. Murder requires intent to cause death. Manslaughter involves causing a death without that specific intent to kill, either through intentional conduct aimed at serious injury or through reckless disregard for human life. Criminally negligent homicide sits at the lower end of culpability: it applies when a person fails to perceive a substantial risk that causes a death, a lesser degree of fault than the conscious disregard required for second-degree manslaughter.

Whether prosecutors charge murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide frequently turns on what they believe they can prove about the defendant’s state of mind. That assessment is also where a defense can concentrate its efforts.

Defense Strategies in Manslaughter Cases

The prosecution carries the burden of proving every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. A defense may challenge whether that burden can be met on the mental state element: did the defendant actually act recklessly, or was this a tragic accident without the conscious disregard the statute requires? For first-degree charges, can the prosecution establish intent to cause serious physical injury?

Other defense approaches include:

Justification or self-defense: A person who reasonably believed that force was necessary to protect themselves or another person from serious harm may have a complete defense to the charge.
Extreme emotional disturbance: When applicable, this affirmative defense can reduce a murder charge to manslaughter in the first degree, lowering potential sentencing exposure.
Causation disputes: A defense may challenge whether the defendant’s conduct was actually the legal cause of death, particularly when other intervening factors are present.

If you are looking for a lawyer who truly cares about their clients and fights for the best possible result, look no further.

I cannot recommend Rich Portale and his team highly enough. From the very beginning, they were professional, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable. I was facing a situation that could have resulted in prison time, and thanks to their dedication, skill, and persistence, I was able to avoid that outcome. He took the time to explain every step of the process, answered all my questions, and made sure I always knew what was happening with my case. His calm confidence and attention to detail made an incredibly stressful situation manageable.

Danielle S.
I truly felt that I had found a team that was willing to fight for my case and genuinely cared about the results.

I can honestly say that I am relieved and happy to have chosen your firm as my attorney for my third DWI. I have worked hard through my treatment and appreciate the opportunity to make better choices for myself in the future. After being sentenced to a conditional discharge, I truly felt that I had found a team that was willing to fight for my case and genuinely cared about the results. I would also like to add that they have connections because of the well respected business they run. I will highly recommend Portale Randazzo to anyone in need of legal counsel. Thank you again for your hard work and support.

Danielle A.
Richard's level of care and attention meant a lot to me.

Rich was an outstanding and well-spoken individual who carried himself with a strong sense of confidence. From the very beginning, he made it a priority to stay in touch and was consistently reliable throughout the entire process. One thing that really stood out was how he took the time to do weekly check-ins—not just to discuss progress, but to genuinely see how I was doing mentally and emotionally. I’m truly grateful I chose to work with him.

Manny S.
When you hire Portale Randazzo you are getting attorneys who actually care and fight for you.

Portale Randazzo LLP is an exceptional law firm. Mr. Portale has represented me very well helping me avoid the worst. Retainer fees are fair and the services provided are above expectations. Highly recommend.

Luis B.
I felt confident in trusting them with my case.

Portale Randazzo was very reliable and helpful during my tough time. Very grateful for Rich and the team for everything. Their experience and dedication to their work is noticeable!

Antonio M.
Rich is a man of his word!

Having your love ones in jail is very stressful! We are so grateful we chose the Portale Randazzo team to work my love ones case!! Richard worked very hard to make sure we got the best overcome! I will highly recommend Portale Randazzo, Rich, and his team!! Chanel (front desk), she is amazing too.

Rhonda P.
Rich Portale told me that his job was to free me from worrying about my case. That's what he did.

Had a potentially scary legal problem and on my own it could have been disastrous. He solved the problem pretty quickly. Using his services was a very smart move on my part.

Mel D.
My experience with Rich has been nothing short of exceptional.

Outstanding "10 out of 10". I am very grateful. Richard Portale is an amazing lawyer. Excellent in both professionalism and experience. A very well organized firm, experienced and professional. I would highly recommend Rich and his law firm Portale Randazzo LLP to all my friends and family.

Mehul P.

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