Homicide Crimes
Experienced & Aggressive Criminal Defense Attorney
Violent crimes are handled with the utmost severity in California, especially those classified as homicides. Someone accused of committing a homicide could be charged with either murder or manslaughter, both of which could result in serious, life-altering penalties. If you are facing murder or manslaughter charges, or were already convicted, make sure you have an accomplished criminal defense attorney on your side.
Why Choose Second Chances Law Group?
With more than 20 years of legal experience at our back, you can rest easy knowing your case is in good hands. Our firm has helped thousands of clients throughout California and our lead attorney, Joe Coimbra, is focused solely on criminal defense. We are driven by results, which means our firm will work diligently to make sure your rights are heard. When you work with us, you can be confident that we will use our experience and skill to fight for a reduction, acquittal, or dismissal if at all possible.
Call (626) 827-7222 to schedule a free consultation with our criminal defense attorney.
Homicide Crimes in California
Homicide is an umbrella term for any crime involving the killing of another human being. If one individual kills another, it is almost always considered a crime, unless the killer acted in self-defense or the killing was state-sanctioned. However, even an accidental killing could still be considered a criminal act, which is why you need aggressive legal representation if you are facing criminal accusations.
Depending on the circumstances of the person’s death, the cause, and the alleged killer’s intentions, the charges can vary. If you have been accused of any type of homicide crime, it is absolutely essential that you understand the different degrees of murder and manslaughter, and how the law defines each.
Defining Murder
The key difference between murder and manslaughter is the intent of the murderer. If someone unlawfully killed another person with malice aforethought, meaning they intended to do so, they could be charged with murder. The killing need not be premeditated, only deliberate.
Murder crimes in California can be categorized as either first-degree murder or second-degree murder, depending on whether or not the crime was premeditated. If the killer planned the killing, he or she could be convicted of first-degree murder, which can result in between 25 years to life in prison.
Second-Degree Murder
If the killer still intended to harm the victim, but the killing was not premeditated, the crime is classified as second-degree murder. In California, second-degree murder is punishable by 15 years to life in prison, though the minimum sentence can increase if the defendant has a prior criminal record, killed the victim by shooting a firearm from a vehicle, or if the victim was a peace officer.
Manslaughter Crimes
Manslaughter, while still very serious, is not punished as severely as murder crimes. If a person is charged with manslaughter, the defendant is believed to have killed another person without malice aforethought. A person might be charged with vehicular manslaughter if they unintentionally killed another person while driving, usually because the driver was influenced by drugs or alcohol.
Voluntary Manslaughter
Sometimes murder charges will be reduced to voluntary manslaughter because the defendant acted in the heat of passion or had a diminished capacity. A crime is charged as voluntary manslaughter when the individual was strongly provoked and killed another person because of that provocation. In other words, this was not a premeditated crime.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter refers to an unintentional homicide crime, usually because of some reckless or negligent conduct. Penalties for manslaughter crimes, whether voluntary or involuntary, can vary greatly, but usually result in imprisonment, parole, and a criminal record.
Let Our Firm Help You
If you are facing criminal charges for murder or manslaughter, make sure you act fast to defend your rights and protect your future. Second Chances Law Group is dedicated to helping clients facing criminal accusations, and has ample experience working with homicide convictions. Don’t wait to defend your name, reach out to our firm today.
Contact Second Chances Law Group to discuss your case with our criminal defense attorney.