Las Vegas Homicide Defense Lawyer
Defense for Murder & Manslaughter in Nevada
In Nevada, allegations involving murder or manslaughter put decades in prison—or life—on the table. From the moment an investigation begins, detectives and prosecutors move quickly to build a case for conviction.
If you are under investigation or have been charged with any form of homicide, you need a defense lawyer with proven trial experience, not someone learning on the job.
Goodman Law Group provides that level of representation. Ross Goodman is known for handling high-stakes cases under scrutiny from the media, the community, and the government, and for delivering disciplined, strategic defenses in Nevada’s most serious felony matters.
If you have been contacted by detectives, learned you are a “person of interest,” or have already been arrested, do not give statements or meet with law enforcement alone.
Call us today at (702) 825-7854 for a free consultation. We answer calls 24/7.
When Your Freedom Is on the Line, Hire an Expert
These are the highest validated credentials available to a criminal lawyer in the United States.
They reflect a career built on:
- Intensive trial preparation and a methodical approach to complex evidence
- A track record of dismissals, acquittals, and major reductions in felony cases
- Experience representing high-profile clients under intense public and media scrutiny
A former U.S. Marine Corps Major and the son of former Las Vegas Mayors Oscar B. Goodman and Carolyn Goodman, Ross brings both discipline and local insight to homicide defense. He understands how Metro’s homicide detectives investigate, how the Clark County District Attorney’s Office charges, and how to challenge those cases in court.
Featured Cases in the News
Overview of Nevada Homicide Charges
“Homicide” in Nevada is a broad term that covers several distinct offenses. Understanding the differences matters because the required proof, potential defenses, and penalties vary significantly.
Murder (NRS 200.010, 200.030)
Under Nevada law, murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought (intent to kill or extreme disregard for human life), or during the commission of certain serious felonies (felony-murder theory), such as robbery or burglary.
Nevada divides murder into:
- First-degree murder – premeditated killings, felony murder, and specific circumstances defined by statute. Punishable by life in prison with or without the possibility of parole, and in rare cases, the State may seek capital punishment.
- Second-degree murder – killings with malice but without premeditation or fitting the specific definitions of first-degree. Punishable by a lengthy term of years or life with the possibility of parole.
Most homicide complaints in Nevada are filed as open murder, meaning prosecutors can seek first- or second-degree murder charges depending on the facts.
Manslaughter (NRS 200.040, 200.050)
Manslaughter generally involves an unlawful killing without malice aforethought.
Nevada recognizes:
- Voluntary manslaughter – often associated with a killing committed in the “heat of passion” or during a sudden quarrel, where emotions overcome judgment.
- Involuntary manslaughter – an unintentional killing resulting from criminal negligence or during the commission of a non-felony unlawful act.
Manslaughter still carries severe prison exposure but is generally punished less harshly than murder. In some cases, moving a case from murder to manslaughter can mean the difference between decades in prison and a significantly shorter term.
Vehicular Homicide and Related Offenses
Some deaths involving motor vehicles are prosecuted under vehicular-specific statutes, including:
- DUI resulting in injury or death– a Category B felony with a mandatory prison term.
- Vehicular manslaughter – a misdemeanor offense for deaths caused by simple negligence (e.g., momentary inattention).
- Vehicular homicide – a Category A felony charged when a driver with three prior DUI convictions causes a fatal crash. Punishable by 25 years to life.
The Legal Process in Nevada Homicide Cases
While each case develops differently, most homicide prosecutions follow a predictable structure:
- Investigation and arrest. Detectives gather evidence, interview witnesses, and may approach you for a “voluntary” interview. Statements made at this stage can shape the entire case.
- Initial appearance and bail/detention. Homicide cases often involve high bail or requests for detention without bail. Early advocacy can influence conditions and how the court views the case.
- Filing of charges. The District Attorney decides whether to file charges and what level (murder, manslaughter, related offenses). Sometimes the State files open murder to preserve options.
- Preliminary hearing. The defense can cross-examine key witnesses and test whether there is enough evidence to proceed. This is a crucial opportunity to expose weaknesses.
- District Court proceedings. Once bound over, the case moves to District Court for formal arraignment, pretrial motions, negotiations, and trial preparation. Motions may target search warrants, statements, forensic issues, or evidentiary disputes.
- Trial. If no acceptable resolution is reached, a jury decides whether the State has proven each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Homicide trials are complex and often involve multiple experts and contested narratives.
Throughout each stage, Goodman Law Group’s role is to limit exposure, challenge assumptions, and preserve every possible path to dismissal, reduction, or acquittal. If you are facing homicide charges, you deserve the best defense.
Call Goodman Law Group 24/7 for a free consultation. As one of only two board-certified criminal defense attorneys in all of Nevada, Ross Goodman can bring a level of expertise to your case that few other lawyers can match.
Client Success Stories
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"Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
To say thank you doesn't seem like it's enough but thank you so much. Lonnie and I appreciate all you did to get the desired results for Jonathan. Am sure he is appreciative as well.
Thank you for being there when we needed you. It's been my pleasure to have worked with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Pam K.
- Pam K. -
"I switched and hired Mr. Goodman and could not have been more impressed with the outcome. You do get what you pay for."I met with Mr. Goodman who answered all my questions and knew his stuff. I decided to hire a less expensive attorney but was not happy with the progress ended up being a waste of money with the other guy. I switched and hired Mr. Goodman and could not have been more impressed with the outcome. You do get what you pay for. I should have gone with my gut reaction at the beginning that would have saved me anxiety, time, and money. Don’t make the same mistake.
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"Thanks to Ross C. Goodman, my case was successful!"
Gracias a Ross C. Goodman mi caso ha sido satisfactorio y confiaré en el en todo mi proceso. Muy buena atención y dedicación una persona agradable y honesta
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Thanks to Ross C. Goodman, my case was successful, and I will trust him throughout my entire process. Very good attention and dedication, he is a pleasant and honest person.
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"Thanks to Mr. Goodman, my situation was resolved with the best possible outcome, and in record time! If you're looking for a criminal defense lawyer in Vegas, he's THE guy."I cannot say enough good things about Mr. Goodman. After being arrested at EDC, I contacted him to represent me in the resulting case. I was terrified of the potential consequences, but he worked his magic and got the case completely DISMISSED - an outcome that I never even dreamed of!
After consulting with a few other lawyers in the Vegas area, Mr. Goodman's professionalism was a breath of fresh air. He clearly knows the law and is very well connected in the city. Above all else, he relentlessly projects power and confidence in his conversations, a critical trait that every lawyer should have. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have negotiating on my behalf.
Thanks to Mr. Goodman, my situation was resolved with the best possible outcome, and in record time! If you're looking for a criminal defense lawyer in Vegas, he's THE guy. -
"He will fight for your rights and get you the best results."My family and I are very grateful we hired Mr. Ross Goodman to represent me. We can’t thank Mr. Ross enough for what he did.
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"His professional and knowledge of Las Vegas law is impeccable."Ross Goodman has got to be the best attorney in the Las Vegas area. When we needed a lawyer to represent our son, Ross appeared in court on his behalf and had his DUI reduced to reckless driving. His professional and knowledge of Las Vegas law is impeccable. I would recommend Ross to anyone who want excellent representation.- Avis A.
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"This is the kind of attorney you don’t just recommend — you insist people hire. Worth every penny."Ross Goodman is, without question, in a league of his own. From our very first meeting, it was clear this wasn’t just another defense attorney — Ross is the real deal. He knows the system, commands respect in the courtroom, and he knows how to get results when it matters the most.
To be completely honest, we didn’t hire Ross right away — and that was our first mistake. We initially went with another well-known law firm, thinking we were getting a specific high-profile attorney. But when it came time for court, instead of the person we were promised, they sent in a junior lawyer we’d never met. I couldn’t even get straight answers to basic questions, and it quickly became clear that we were just another file on someone’s desk.
That experience made me double down and insist that we bring Ross Goodman onto the case. I had already met with him in person and had done my homework. After spending an entire afternoon watching interviews, YouTube clips, and reading about his background (and his incredible family — yes, I’m now also a fan of his dad, Oscar Goodman), I knew this was the attorney we had to have. Thankfully, we made the switch — and everything changed.
He took a very serious situation and turned it into a manageable, strategic resolution. He negotiated a plea that avoided a felony conviction — something we honestly didn’t think was possible. That outcome didn’t happen by chance — it happened because he knows how to talk to prosecutors, how to protect his clients when the stakes are high, and how to be the very best at what he does.
He’s not the cheapest attorney in town — and that’s exactly the point. If you’re gambling with your freedom, your record, or your future, you want someone with real experience and a proven reputation. You don’t hire Ross to hope for a good outcome , you hire him because you want the best possible one.
This is the kind of attorney you don’t just recommend — you insist people hire.
Worth every penny. -
"I am eternally grateful for his professional service."Mr. Ross Goodman is a true professional. His knowledge and dedication to me as a client was unparalleled! Mr. Goodman and his assistant Tiffanie were a beacon of hope to my family and I during a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a
