Can You Be Charged with Murder if You Did Not Pull the Trigger?

 Posted on March 10, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Most people think that murder charges can only be brought against someone who directly caused another person’s death. In Illinois, even if you did not pull the trigger, you can still be charged with murder. If you help or take part in a crime that leads to someone's death, you could face serious charges, including first-degree murder. A skilled Illinois criminal defense lawyer can explain why and what you can do about it.

Illinois Law and Murder Charges

There are various ways you can end up facing murder charges even if you did not do anything that directly ended someone else’s life. 

The Felony Murder Rule

In Illinois, when someone dies while a felony is committed, for example, during a burglary or robbery, anyone involved in that crime can be charged with murder – even if they did not intend for anyone to die.

If two people rob a store and the store owner is shot and killed, both robbers can be charged with felony murder, regardless of whether he was shot by the robbers, the police, or even himself. Even if one was inside the store and the other was outside, standing guard or acting as a getaway driver. 

Aiding and Abetting Murder

Another way you can be charged with murder without pulling the trigger is through aiding and abetting. If you provide someone with weapons, help them plan an attack, lure the victim, or help him commit murder in any other way, you might be found just as guilty as the person who actually carried out the crime. That is why, for example, if you hire a hitman to kill someone else, you can be charged with first-degree murder even though you did not physically harm the target.

Joint Accountability

Illinois also follows a legal concept called joint accountability, which means that if two or more people commit a crime together, they can all be held responsible for the actions of the group rather than for their own individual contributions. Even if there was no intention to kill someone and one person in the group took things further than planned, the others could still face the same charges.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Cook County, IL Murder Defense Lawyer

If you are facing a murder charge but didn’t pull the trigger, there may still be defenses available. Murder charges carry serious penalties, including life in prison, so it is crucial to have aggressive legal representation. 

Depending on the details of your case, a skilled Chicago, IL criminal defense attorney might argue that you had no knowledge of the crime, that you were forced to participate, or that you withdrew from the plan before the crime took place. At Law Offices of James F. DiQuattro, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and creating a strong defense for the best outcome. Call us at 312-627-9482 to schedule a free consultation.