CALIFORNIA Murder and Homicide DEFENSE LAWYER
Have you been charged with Murder? Let Weber Law help you today!
Murder, also known as homicide is one of the most serious crimes you can be charged with, not only in California, but around the world. Specifically, in California, being found guilty of murder can come with a hefty fine, a lengthy imprisonment, or in some cases your life. There are different aspects to the crime of murder, all of which come with serious penalties. A charge of murder can have detrimental effects on your record that can follow you for life, or even have consequences that leave you in prison for life or facing the death penalty. Do not face these charges alone. Do not face the court room alone. Let Weber Law help you today!
California Murder and Homicide Charges and Penalties
What is Murder?
In California, murder is the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought. Malice is express when there is manifested a deliberate intention to unlawfully take away the life of a fellow creature.
Malice is intention or desire to do a wrongful act or create ill will for another living being. There are different levels of severity regarding murder.
What are the Degrees of Murder?
All murder that is perpetrated by means of a destructive device or explosive, a weapon of mass destruction, knowing use of ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal or armor, poison, lying in wait, torture, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing, or that is committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, arson, rape, carjacking, robbery, burglary, mayhem, kidnapping, train wrecking, or murder that is perpetrated by means of discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, intentionally at another person outside of the vehicle with the intent to inflict death, is murder of the first degree.
Any other type of murder that does not fall under first degree is categorized as second degree.
Whether a charge of first degree or second degree, a murder charge is extremely serious. Legal expertise is needed to move forward.
What is the Punishment?
There are different punishments depending on the degree of murder in California, but any conviction of murder is extremely serious. In California, every person guilty of murder in the first degree shall be punished by death, imprisonment in the state prison for life without the possibility of parole, or imprisonment in the state prison for a term of twenty-five years to life.
With a few exceptions that include murder of a peace officer, every person guilty of murder in the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of fifteen years to life.
To be punished with the death penalty or life imprisonment, there are certain aspects that must be met. Guilt has to be determined, along with a special circumstance met, one or more must be met, which include but are not limited to:
1.The murder was intentional and carried out for financial gain.
2. The defendant was convicted previously of murder in the first or second degree
3. The murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest, or perfecting or attempting to perfect, an escape from lawful custody.
4. The murder was committed by means of a destructive device, bomb, or explosive that the defendant mailed or delivered, attempted to mail, or deliver, or caused to be mailed or delivered, and the defendant knew, or reasonably should have known, that his or her act or acts would create a great risk of death to one or more human beings.
5. The victim was a witness to a crime who was intentionally killed for the purpose of preventing his or her testimony in any criminal or juvenile proceeding, and the killing was not committed during the commission or attempted commission, of the crime to which he or she was a witness; or the victim was a witness to a crime and was intentionally killed in retaliation for his or her testimony in any criminal or juvenile proceeding.
Even as a Defendant, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights, and it is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction. Do not try to fight these charges on your own—Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a murder or homicide charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
How Can WEBER LAW Help You?
It can be scary and nerve wracking to have criminal charges on your record, but it has an added severity when life in prison and the death penalty are potential sentences. The court system can be intimidating and without good legal help, the consequences can be devastating. Our experienced team is comfortable looking at evidence, negotiating potential plea agreements, and defending you in court. There are ways to fight the charge of murder. Additionally, Weber Law will look at all the evidence available to the different aspects you could have been charged with, including but not limited to, speaking to potential witnesses, looking at the crime scene, and your alibi. Weber Law will work to lower your charge or sentence. We will fight for you to keep your record clean. Murder, no matter the circumstances, is not a charge that you want to fight alone. Let our team of experienced attorneys help you navigate the criminal justice system. If you or someone you know has been charged with murder in the State of California, contact Weber Law for a consultation today.
CA Penal Code § 187, Murder
CA Penal Code § 188, Malice, express malice, and implied malice defined.
CA Penal Code § 189, Murder; degrees
CA Penal Code § 190.1, Death Penalty cases; procedures
CA Penal Code § 190.2, Death penalty or life imprisonment without parole; special circumstances
A Los Angeles, California Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
Office Address:
80 South Lake Ave. Ste. 590, Pasadena, California 91101