Murder Defense Lawyer
If you’re accused of 1st-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, it’s critical you seek the help of an experienced attorney and develop a defense strategy.
Here’s how to find a murder defense lawyer in Los Angeles.
Murder Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles
Murder defense attorneys will help protect you from the strict penalties of the California penal system, including the possibility of the death sentence.
When charged with murder, your attorney will have the knowledge and experience to develop a strong defense strategy to prove you did not have the “malice aforethought” required to be found guilty of first degree or capital murder.
So, where can you find a good murder defense lawyer?
The SFVBA Attorney Referral Service is certified by the State Bar of California and meets the American Bar Association standards for lawyer referral. With a comprehensive membership of over 150 well-established attorneys in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, we can help connect you with the best murder defense lawyer in Los Angeles.
How An Attorney Can Help
Experienced murder defense attorneys in Los Angeles will conduct a thorough investigation of your case and will examine all of the circumstances under which the crime took place. They will be able to create a strategy to protect you from the death penalty and try to lessen your sentence based on the evidence at hand. In many cases, they will be able to have the charges reduced to second-degree murder or even manslaughter.
In California, there are several different charges which can be laid in relation to a homicide (the unlawful taking of a life) and there are three factors considered when filing murder charges:
- An act was committed that resulted in death
- There was malice aforethought
- There was no excuse or justification for the death
Murder charges can include:
- First Degree Murder: In the case of first degree or capital murder it must be proven that you did, in fact, plan to commit the crime. This means you considered how and when you would kill the person and then followed your plans through. Capital murder charges are very grave as they involve the death penalty. There are many factors that would escalate your case to capital murder, including crimes of hate or incidence in which a victim was tortured.
- Second Degree Murder: In the case of second-degree murder you may have killed a person without necessarily intending to do so, but were participating in an activity that clearly had the potential to cause harm. For example, if you have a record of DUI and still drove while under the influence.
- Felony Murder: Felony murder is killing someone while committing a felony such as a bank robbery. This charge is complex, as even if the death was accidental, you will be charged with felony murder because you were committing a felony at the time.
When faced with murder charges your attorney will have a number of defenses which can be used to seek a dismissal or acquittal including:
- Accidental Killing: If you were not engaged in any unlawful activity, were not negligent, and unintentionally caused the death, the accidental killing defense may be used.
- Insanity: Your lawyer can use this defense if you were not in control of your faculties at the time of the murder and therefore either did not know right from wrong or did not understand your actions.
- Confessions: In many cases, your lawyer may be able to show that a confession was coerced.
- Illegal Search and Seizure: An attorney will be able to determine if any of the evidence for the case was acquired through illegal tactics.
- Mistaken Identity: It is possible that if you had been identified by a witness, your lawyer can prove that it was a case of mistaken identity by showing the unreliability of the eyewitness.
Murder defense attorneys will work diligently to find holes in the case the prosecution has built against you. An experienced lawyer will be able to find the best defense to protect your rights and ensure you have a fair trial. He or she will also use their knowledge of the law to find ways to lessen your charges to either second-degree murder or even manslaughter, which will greatly reduce your sentence.
How Do I Find A Murder Defense Attorney in Los Angeles
Proving your innocence or lessening the charges against you will be dependent on the skills and experience of your attorney. Therefore, when seeking a defense attorney to represent your case you should engage one who has experience defending murder cases. You should also seek someone who has a track record of cases that have resulted in acquittals, dismissals, or greatly reduced charges.
It is also important to find someone you feel you can trust. You will have to speak candidly about your circumstances and share your side of the story. Contact us at 818-340-4529.
