Murder Defense Attorney in Louisville

Defending Louisville Clients Against Kentucky’s Most Serious Criminal Charges

A murder charge in Louisville is a capital offense under Kentucky law, carrying penalties that range from 20 years in prison to the death penalty. Jefferson Circuit Court moves quickly, and the prosecution begins building its case the moment an arrest is made. Every day without experienced defense counsel is a day the state works without opposition.

The Simon Law Office defends individuals charged with murder and homicide in Louisville and Jefferson County. Attorney Larry Simon has been defending Louisville clients against serious criminal charges since 1985, and his work includes two of Kentucky’s most consequential wrongful murder conviction cases. That history isn’t background. It directly shapes how we challenge forensic evidence, identify investigative misconduct, and protect constitutional rights in murder cases today.

If you or someone you know is facing a murder charge in Louisville, contact us now for a free consultation. Call (502) 822-2074 to speak with Larry Simon directly.

Larry Simon’s Record Challenging Flawed Murder Prosecutions

Not every attorney defending murder charges has been inside the cases that exposed how wrongful convictions happen. Larry Simon has. In 2006, he co-counseled in the William Gregory wrongful conviction case, which settled for $4.6 million. Gregory was the first person in Kentucky exonerated by DNA evidence after a wrongful conviction for crimes he didn’t commit. Six years later, Larry co-counseled in the Edwin Chandler case, in which Louisville Metro Government agreed to pay $8.5 million after Chandler served nine years in prison on a false murder charge. That settlement stands as one of the largest ever paid by a government agency in Kentucky for a civil rights violation.

These were civil rights cases, not criminal acquittals, but they represent something rare: a defense attorney who has seen exactly how forensic failures, investigative shortcuts, and constitutional violations produce unjust outcomes. That perspective informs every murder case we take.

Larry’s recognition extends beyond those cases. In 2012, the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers presented him with the Frank E. Haddad, Jr. Award for exceptional achievements in criminal defense and sustained impact on protecting constitutional rights. In 1992, the Louisville Bar Association recognized him with the Pro Bono Service Award for his work as conflict counsel for indigent defendants in Jefferson County. The Simon Law Office is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

What Kentucky Law Says About Murder Charges

Under KRS 507.020, murder in Kentucky is a capital offense defined in two ways: intentionally causing the death of another person, or causing a death through wanton conduct that manifests extreme indifference to human life. That second theory, wanton murder, doesn’t require the prosecution to prove deliberate intent. It requires conduct that goes beyond ordinary recklessness into something the law treats as equally culpable.

A murder conviction carries one of four possible sentences: 20 to 50 years, 25 years to life, life without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. Which applies depends on the specific facts, the defendant’s record, and any aggravating factors the prosecution pursues.

Not every homicide case ends at the murder charge. Kentucky law recognizes a spectrum of related offenses:

• First-degree manslaughter (Class B felony): 10 to 20 years; typically involves intent but may involve extreme emotional disturbance
• Second-degree manslaughter (Class C felony): 5 to 10 years; applies to wanton conduct that doesn’t rise to murder-level indifference
• Reckless homicide (Class D felony): 1 to 5 years; the lowest tier, involving recklessness rather than wanton disregard

The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on every element, including intent. That burden is where the defense works.

How We Approach Murder Defense in Louisville

We begin at arrest, not at trial. Pre-trial decisions shape what evidence the prosecution can use, what charges can be sustained, and what options remain by the time a case reaches a jury. Waiting compromises all three.

Our defense strategy depends on the facts of each case, but Kentucky law offers meaningful defenses that we pursue when the evidence supports them:

• Self-defense and defense of another: Kentucky’s Stand Your Ground law allows the use of force without a duty to retreat when a person isn’t engaged in unlawful activity, is in a place they have a legal right to be, and reasonably believes force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
• Extreme emotional disturbance: Kentucky law doesn’t support a murder conviction when a defendant was acting under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance for which there was a reasonable explanation or excuse, though lesser charges may still apply.
• Lack of criminal intent: Challenging the prosecution’s theory that the defendant acted with the required mental state
• Forensic evidence challenges: Working with forensic analysts to identify inconsistencies, methodology problems, or gaps in physical evidence
• Constitutional violations: Evidence obtained through unlawful search, seizure, or arrest may be suppressed; removing key evidence can lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges
• Mistaken identity and alibi: Examining witness reliability, identification procedures, and documentation that places the defendant elsewhere

Larry Simon brings decades of trial and appellate work in Kentucky state and federal courts to each case. Clients receive direct, personal attention from Larry throughout, not delegation to less experienced staff at the moments that matter most.

Contact The Simon Law Office for a Free Murder Defense Consultation

A murder charge demands an immediate, experienced response. We offer free initial consultations for those facing murder or homicide charges in Louisville and Jefferson County. Call (502) 822-2074 or reach us through our online contact form.

Contact The Simon Law Office today at (502) 822-2074 to protect your rights from the start.