Murder and Violent Crimes Attorney

If you, or loved one, is facing a murder, or violent crimes charge, then you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to aggressively fight your case.  It is important to find a criminal defense attorney that you can trust, and believe in, to aggressively, proactively, and meticulously, prepare your murder, or violent crimes, legal defense.  An experienced violent crimes attorney knows that murder and violent crimes charges must be challenged, and attacked, from the very inception of the case with knowledge, skill, and tenacity.

Murder and Violent Crimes Law Practice

The Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein’s successfully represents people accused of murder and violent crime all over California and has substantial knowledge and experience with violent crime charges such as:

• First Degree Murder
• Second Degree Murder
• Attempted Murder
• Manslaughter
• Vehicular Homicide
• Negligent Homicide
• Kidnapping
• Mayhem
• Carjacking
• Armed Robbery

Murder and other types of violent crimes cases are extremely complex and frequently include additional charges such as:

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm
• Unintentional or Intentional Discharge of a firearm
• Personal Use of a Deadly Weapon or Firearm
• Shooting into an Inhabited Dwelling
• Gang-related allegations and enhancements
• Great Bodily Injury enhancements
• Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Types of Murder (Homicide)

Under California law, murder (also known as homicide), is a crime that involves the killing of a human being.  There are different types of murder, all of which potentially carry a sentence of substantial time in the state prison:

• First degree murder (a premeditated, intentional killing)
• Second-degree murder (a non-premeditated, intentional killing)
• Manslaughter (voluntary, involuntary, or vehicular)

A conviction for First degree murder carries a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison, life without parole, or the death penalty if certain special circumstances are alleged and proven.  Examples of some special circumstances include: murder for hire murder committed after lying in wait murder by a destructive device such as a bomb murder committed for racial or religious reasons murder of a law enforcement  in performance of duties A conviction for Second-degree murder carries a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison, 25 years to life in prison, or life without the possibility of parole depending on a variety of factors such as whether the alleged victim was peace officer or whether there was the use of a firearm.

Furthermore, the use of a firearm or deadly weapon, an allegation that the act was committed for the benefit of a street gang, or an allegation of great bodily injury, are all common factors in violent crimes cases, which increase the severity of a potential sentence.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter generally refers to a murder that was committed without “malice” or a specific intent to kill.  There are different types of manslaughter which all carry separate, but severe, punishments. Voluntary manslaughter is an intentional killing that occurred as a result of legally "adequate provocation" (a sudden quarrel or heat of passion) or in an unreasonable attempt at self-defense.  A voluntary manslaughter conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 11 years in state prison. Involuntary manslaughter is an unintentional killing that occurred during the commission of a misdemeanor or as a result of gross negligence. Involuntary manslaughter carries a potential sentence of up to 4 years in state prison.

Vehicular manslaughter is an unintentional killing that takes place after the commission of an unlawful act committed while driving a motor vehicle with.  Vehicular manslaughter is referred to a “wobbler” because it can be prosecuted as either a felony or a misdemeanor.   Vehicular manslaughter carries a potential sentence of up to 6 years in state prison.  However, if a person is accused of being extremely reckless, or grossly negligent, then he or she may face up to 10 years in state prison depending on the individual facts of the case. Felony Murder Rule

California also has a criminal law rule known as the “felony murder rule.”  This means that even if the killing was not intentional, it could be considered murder if the murder occurred while the person was in the process of committing an  “inherently dangerous felony.”  Inherently dangerous felonies include:

• arson
• burglary
• carjacking
• kidnapping
• mayhem
• rape
• robbery

Contact an Experienced Murder and Violent Crimes Attorney

Because the penalties of a violent crime conviction are so severe, you must not leave your future to chance.  You need an aggressive and experienced violent crimes attorney who will explore all possible legal defenses and fight your case to win it.  Contact the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein today for a free, confidential consultation at: (888) 445-6313.