Los Angeles Homicide Attorney

Homicide is the killing of one human being by another human being. It’s not always murder; in some cases, it may be considered voluntary or involuntary manslaughter or negligent homicide. In many homicides, there is no criminal intent; an accident tragically causes a fatality. The Los Angeles-based Miranda Rights Law Firm has established a reputation and record for excellence in criminal defense that few can match. Los Angeles homicide attorney, Douglas Miranda represents defendants facing homicide charges that can include murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, and murder-for-hire cases. If you are charged with killing someone, yes, it’s one of the most serious of all crimes. First-degree murder with special circumstances is called capital murder in California, and the death penalty is a possibility for those convicted. Therefore, it’s vital that you have an experienced murder defense lawyer who has the experience required to help you find justice in your case.

OUR RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

However, the overwhelming majority of homicide cases are not first-degree murders with special circumstances and do not lead to lethal injection. If you are charged with taking another person’s life, it may have been entirely accidental, or you may have acted in self-defense. It’s even possible that you’re being framed or that the police simply collared the wrong person. In Southern California, Los Angeles homicide attorney Douglas Miranda will scrutinize the details of your case and develop the most effective possible homicide defense. While there is never a guarantee in any particular criminal case, criminal defense lawyer Douglas Miranda has represented thousands of defendants in the LA area over the last decade, and his impressive record speaks for itself.

MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER

Murder is the most serious crime that you can be accused of in the state of California. By law, murder is the unlawful killing of a human being or a fetus with malice aforethought, which is defined as acting with a wanton disregard for human life. First degree murder can be charged for premeditated murders, felony-murders, or murders that involve torture or the use of an explosive device. Some first degree murders are capital murders, which put the defendant at risk of being punished with the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.

Second degree murder is any unlawful killing of a human being or a fetus that is not covered by the first degree murder law. Although this crime has less severe penalties, it is still a very serious charge. Second degree murder is punishable by fifteen years to life in prison, but these penalties can increase if certain extenuating circumstances apply to your case. Both first and second degree murder charges are a strike on your record under California’s three strikes law.

A defendant may also be charged with voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when the defendant is accused of killing some during an argument or in the heat of the moment. There is no premeditation involved with voluntary manslaughter. If you are convicted of voluntary manslaughter, you could face up to eleven years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Involuntary manslaughter occurs when the defendant is accused of killing someone unintentionally while committing a crime that is not considered to be a dangerous felony. Involuntary manslaughter charges carry possible penalties of up to four years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

These homicide charges range in severity, but every single one of them carries serious consequences. If you or a loved one has been charged with murder or manslaughter, speak to an experienced Los Angeles homicide attorney as soon as possible.

For more information on California homicide and manslaughter law, please see:

• What is the Difference Between First, Second, and Third-Degree Murder?

CALIFORNIA’S FELONY-MURDER RULE

The California, including Los Angeles county, the felony-murder rule means a defendant may be found guilty of murder if the defendant or an accomplice kills another person while committing certain felonies, or even in cases where the killing itself was completely accidental. The rule is an exception to the murder law. Generally, you cannot be convicted of murder unless you act with “malice aforethought,” or the intention to kill. But under the felony-murder rule, a defendant may face murder charges and be convicted of murder – without malice aforethought – if the defendant killed someone during the intentional commission of a particular felony.

Obviously, if you are charged with murder as the result of a homicide during the commission of a felony, you need a smart, aggressive, experienced defense lawyer. In southern California, speak at once with an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. California classifies a homicide as a first-degree murder when that homicide is committed during the commission of any of these felonies:

• Arson;
• Rape and other sexual crimes;
• Carjacking;
• Robbery;
• Burglary;
• Mayhem;
• Kidnapping;
• Train wrecking; and
• And any homicide committed by firing a gun from a motor vehicle at a person outside the vehicle with the intention of killing.

A second-degree felony-murder rule attaches to “inherently dangerous” felonies that are not specifically included under the first-degree felony-murder rule. Thus, the second-degree felony-murder rule is applied on a case-by-case basis. If you are charged in southern California with any murder, homicide, or other violent felony, you could be looking at years in prison. While no guarantee can ever be made regarding the outcome of any specific case, your best hope for justice if you’re charged with one of these crimes is an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. If you’re charged with a serious crime, get serious legal help, and don’t wait to make the call.

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Homicide is perhaps the most serious criminal charge you can face. If you’re convicted especially of murder, the penalties are severe and serious, but any homicide conviction will change your life in ways you do not want. If you’ve been charged with murder, manslaughter, or any other homicide charge, put an experienced Los Angeles law firm to work for you. After assessing your case, defense lawyer Douglas Miranda will explain your legal options and work to develop the most effective possible defense. At the Miranda Rights Law Firm, we take our responsibility to our clients seriously, and we put our experience to work for you. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles homicide attorney, contact us today. Send an email, or call 213-293-1207. Se habla español.