Murder

Murder & Manslaughter

Murrieta – Temecula criminal defense attorney has a proven record representing individuals charged with murder and manslaughter. Contact Murrieta – Temecula criminal defense Attorney Karen E. Lockhart at (951) 698-5191. Consultations are available by telephone or in person. Weekends and evening appointments are also available. Consultations are always free and confidential.

Murder & Manslaughter & Defenses Penal Code section 187- 199

Murder is the killing of a human being, without legal excuse or justification, with malice aforethought.

First-degree murder. First-degree murder can be (1) willful, deliberate, and premeditated; (2) by a destructive device or explosive, use of ammunition designed primarily to penetrate armor, poison, lying in wait, and torture; or (3) felony-murder. Only requires the specific intent to commit an specified felony.

Second-degree murder. Second-degree murder includes a variety of different types of murder. There are three basic categories: 1) killing without premeditation and deliberation, 2) dangerous act malice murder, 3) dangerous felony-murder, or potentially operating a motor vehicle, boat or aircraft, while under the influence or alcohol or drugs.

Manslaughter. Manslaughter can be voluntary and involuntary manslaughter: The difference is involuntary manslaughter results from an unintentional act that results in death, and voluntary manslaughter results from a voluntary act that results in death, but is mitigated.

Vehicular manslaughter: Vehicular manslaughter occurs when an unlawful act as a driver of a motor vehicle is committed, with criminal negligence, which results in death.

Punishment

Murder can be punished by imprisonment in state prison for life without the possibility of parole, twenty five years to life, or fifteen years to life.’

Voluntary manslaughter is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or eleven years. Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for two, three, or four years.

Vehicular manslaughter is punishable as follows: A violation of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 is punishable either by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year or by imprisonment in the state prison for two, four, or six years. A violation of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year. A violation of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for four, six, or ten years.

Defenses

There are many defenses to murder, such as self defense, or defense of another, which can result in an acquittal, or a verdict of not guilty. There are also some “imperfect” defenses that can reduce murder, to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Murder / Manslaughter Defense Attorney

If you or a family member is involved in the death of a human being, even if by accident, in any court in Riverside County, please have no contact with law enforcement personnel and immediately contact experienced homicide criminal defense attorney Karen E. Lockhart at 951-698-5191, located in Murrieta at the Murrieta – Temecula Border. You need a defense attorney with a proven track record, a criminal defense attorney who can take your case to trial, a defense attorney with a proven track record, who has won murder trials. If you are charged with murder the prosecutor in your case will be an experienced attorney. Why shouldn’t you have one? Your life depends on it.