Fort Myers Homicide Defense from a Board-Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

Homicide is among the most serious charges Florida law recognizes. If you or someone in your family is under investigation or has already been arrested, the state is already building its case. At Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law, we represent individuals and families facing homicide charges throughout Fort Myers and Lee County, bringing more than 40 years of combined criminal defense experience to the most high-stakes moments in our clients’ lives.

Our team includes Katheryn Smith Calvo, who is Board-Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar, a distinction held by a small percentage of Florida attorneys and by the only female attorney in Lee County to hold this certification. We also include Jose Luis Calvo, a former prosecutor who understands in detail how the state investigates, charges, and argues homicide cases. That combination isn’t common, and it shapes everything about how we build a defense.

If you’re facing a homicide charge or know you’re under investigation in Fort Myers, don’t wait. Call us now at (800) 614-5138 to speak with our team. Early intervention can make a significant difference in how your case may develop.

Why Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law for Homicide Defense in Fort Myers

The right homicide attorney in Fort Myers isn’t just someone who knows criminal law. It’s someone who understands how prosecutors think. Jose Luis Calvo spent years on the prosecution side before joining the defense bar. He knows how the Lee County State Attorney’s Office builds its theories, what evidence it prioritizes, and where cases tend to have weaknesses. That perspective allows us to anticipate the state’s moves rather than simply react to them.

Katheryn Smith Calvo’s Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law signals demonstrated competence in high-stakes litigation, the kind of rigorous, complex trial work that homicide cases demand. This certification is held by a small percentage of Florida lawyers and is awarded by the Florida Bar under verified standards.

Beyond credentials, our clients consistently describe us as a calming presence from the first conversation through resolution. As a small firm, we don’t run cases through a volume-driven system. Every client’s situation is addressed individually, with the attention and preparation it requires. We also provide bilingual services. Jose Luis Calvo is fluent in English and Spanish, ensuring Spanish-speaking clients can fully understand their legal options and the process ahead.

We handle homicide cases in both state and federal court, including before the 20th Judicial Circuit at the Lee County Justice Center and in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Our familiarity with local judges and prosecutors in Fort Myers adds an additional layer of strategic value.

Florida Homicide Charges: What the Term Covers

Homicide is the umbrella term under Florida law for the unlawful killing of a human being. Chapter 782 of the Florida Statutes defines several distinct charges under that umbrella, and the differences between them matter enormously for sentencing exposure and defense strategy.

The primary charges include:

• First-Degree Murder (Capital Felony): Requires proof of premeditation or killing during the commission of an enumerated felony. Conviction may result in life without parole or the death penalty.
• Second-Degree murder charges (First-Degree Felony): Does not require premeditation but requires proof of a depraved mind or killing during certain felony acts. Punishable by up to life in prison.
• Third-Degree Murder (Second-Degree Felony): Covers a narrower set of qualifying circumstances with a lesser, though still severe, sentencing range.
• Manslaughter (Second-Degree Felony): Under Fla. Stat. 782.07, this charge applies to killings by act, procurement, or culpable negligence without lawful justification. No intent to kill is required.
• Aggravated Manslaughter (First-Degree Felony): Elevated when the victim is elderly, disabled, a child, or a protected officer such as a law enforcement officer or paramedic.
• Vehicular Homicide: A separate charge under Fla. Stat. 782.071 covering deaths caused by reckless vehicle operation.

Because the charge level determines sentencing exposure, understanding exactly what the state has alleged, and what defenses may apply, needs to begin the moment an investigation starts, not after charges are filed.