Los Angeles Homicide Attorney

If you’re facing a homicide charge in Los Angeles, California, the stress and uncertainty of your situation can be overwhelming. In such scenarios, securing competent legal representation becomes not just prudent but absolutely crucial.

Los Angeles Homicide AttorneyMurder convictions come with severe penalties like lengthy prison terms – and even life imprisonment. Your freedom is at stake, but all hope is not lost. Los Angeles homicide cases can be complicated which is why we always recommend contacting an experienced Los Angeles murder defense lawyer near you.

With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, our Los Angeles homicide attorneys are well-equipped to guide you through this challenging journey. We will do whatever we can to protect you. We’re here not just to represent you, but to support you and defend your rights every step of the way. If you need help with a murder charge in Los Angeles, California, contact The Rodriguez Law Group to schedule a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

How The Rodriguez Law Group Can Help if You’re Arrested for Murder in Los Angeles, California

Facing a homicide charge in Los Angeles can be one of the most stressful experiences in your life. The stakes are high, and having experienced legal representation could make all the difference.

If you work with us, our Los Angeles murder defense lawyers near you will take the following steps to help you:

  • Explain the Charges: We will thoroughly explain the charges you face and the potential penalties that come with a conviction. We will also go through the police report with you so you know exactly what the allegations are.
  • Investigate and Review Evidence: We will review evidence like the police report and anything relevant given to us by the prosecution. We will also conduct our own investigation to uncover anything that was overlooked or that could be used in your defense. This includes speaking to witnesses, looking for video/surveillance footage, or verifying an alibi.
  • Build a Defense Strategy: Once we have collected all relevant facts and evidence related to your case, our focus shifts toward developing an in-depth legal strategy designed to undermine the prosecution’s case and raise reasonable doubt.
  • Negotiate Plea Deals: Many criminal cases end in a plea deal instead of going to trial. We will speak with the prosecutor handling your case and present mitigating evidence in the hopes of securing a favorable plea bargain. The decision to accept a deal and plead guilty is your decision alone, but we will present all options to you.

If you’ve been arrested for homicide in Los Angeles, we’ll do everything we can to secure you the most favorable outcome. For help, contact The Rodriguez Law Group to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles murder defense attorney.

Overview of Homicide in California

How The Rodriguez Law Group Can Help If You’re Arrested for Homicide in Los Angeles, CA

Navigating homicide charges in California requires a fundamental understanding of the different crimes that fall under this category. Homicide entails the following charges:

Murder

Penal Code 187 PC, California’s murder law and the most serious form of homicide.
Murder is defined as intentionally causing the death of a human or fetus with “malice aforethought.” Malice can either be express – meaning the deliberate taking of a life – or implied – acting without any considerable provocation.

To prove murder, prosecutors must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the act demonstrated a wanton disregard for human life, it was likely to cause death, and there was no lawful justification for it.

Voluntary Manslaughter

Penal Code 192 PC, voluntary manslaughter.
Voluntary manslaughter refers to cases where someone kills another person in a moment of strong emotion or during a sudden dispute – most commonly known as “in the heat of passion.” There’s no need to prove malice aforethought for such charges.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Penal Code 192b PC, involuntary manslaughter.
Involuntary manslaughter charges are brought when someone accidentally causes a death while carrying out a misdemeanor. These charges can also be brought if the defendant’s actions were lawful but resulted in the death of another due to negligence.

Felony Murder

Felony murder is a serious charge in California.
To be convicted, prosecutors must show that a killing took place and one of several conditions applied:

  • The defendant helped or encouraged the killing;
  • The defendant played a substantial role in the act of homicide;
  • Someone was killed during the commission or attempted commission of a felony crime; or
  • An on-duty peace officer was killed.

Being charged with any of the above offenses necessitates immediate help from an experienced Los Angeles murder defense attorney who can provide essential legal guidance throughout the process.

What Are the Penalties for a Homicide Conviction in Los Angeles, California?

Los Angeles homicide attorney near you

In California, penalties for homicide convictions are severe and vary depending on the degree of crime.

  • If convicted of first-degree or felony murder, you could face a sentence ranging from 25 years to life in prison.
  • For second-degree murder convictions (and some felony murder charges), the term can span 15 years to life.
  • Voluntary manslaughter typically carries a lesser yet still substantial penalty of up to 11 years of imprisonment.
  • On the other hand, involuntary manslaughter attracts less harsh but still substantial penalties of between two and four years in prison.

These stark realities highlight how crucial it is to engage an experienced Los Angeles homicide lawyer near you if ever confronted with potential murder accusations.

Collateral Consequences

The collateral consequences of a homicide conviction in California can have severe, lifelong effects. Besides the major penalties like prison time and financial fines, you could also experience court-mandated parole upon release.

A criminal record resulting from a homicide conviction also follows you around for your lifetime. This might lead to difficulties when searching for jobs or housing due to background checks that employers and landlords conduct.

If you are not an American citizen, your immigration status could become compromised by homicide charges, and deportation proceedings could follow. Additionally, professional licenses may get rescinded, hindering future employment opportunities within certain fields.

Finally, the damage extends beyond tangible impacts. A homicide conviction can drastically affect personal relationships and reputations within your community, making life after serving time all the more challenging. For these reasons and more, we recommend contacting a top-rated Los Angeles homicide attorney near you.

What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’m Arrested for Homicide in Los Angeles?

When facing a murder charge, it’s essential to understand the possible legal defenses available to you. Some of the most common include:

Lack of Evidence

A fundamental principle of criminal law is that the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Your  LA murder defense attorney will meticulously scrutinize the prosecution’s case in search of flaws or discrepancies that can raise doubt among jury members.

Absence of Malice Aforethought

Malice aforethought is a required element of first-degree murder. In some circumstances, your homicide attorney may argue the absence of malice aforethought to reduce the charges from first-degree murder to a lesser offense.

Self-Defense

In a homicide case, self-defense can be used as a legal strategy. This defense relies on your assertion that you acted out of genuine fear for your safety and had to use force to prevent impending harm.

To succeed with this defense, the behavior you employed needs to be in line with what any reasonable person would do in the same situation. Use of deadly force is only justified if you face imminent death or serious injury.

Actual Innocence

If you are genuinely innocent of the murder charges, your homicide defense attorney near you will need to present compelling evidence to prove your innocence. This could include alibis, contradictory evidence, or even new evidence discovered by your attorney or investigative team.

Challenging the Credibility of Witnesses and Evidence

Your defense attorney may also work to challenge the credibility of witnesses or the viability of forensic evidence, such as DNA, fingerprints, or ballistic evidence.

By exposing flaws, inconsistencies, or biases in witness testimony and forensic evidence, your attorney can create doubt around the prosecution’s case. This can significantly impact the outcome of the trial.

Filing Motions to Exclude Evidence

Evidence used against you might have been collected unlawfully. When this occurs, your lawyer can file a motion to suppress such evidence from trial proceedings. If successful, this can severely weaken the prosecution’s case.

Contact a Los Angeles Murder Defense Attorney Near You for a Free Consultation

Los Angeles murder defense lawyer

Being charged with homicide is a complex and frightening situation to find yourself in, and seeking help from qualified legal professionals is crucial. If you work with us, we can guide you through the process, protect your rights, and help implement a strong defense strategy.

For help, contact The Rodriguez Law Group to schedule a free initial consultation with a Los Angeles homicide attorney.

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Los Angeles Homicide Lawyer Review

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I want to Thank My Wonderful Attorney Mr. Rodrigues For helping my family and I . He is a kind and understanding person and he tells you straight from the heart, what could happen and what could not happen, and what he could do for you, he was straight with this from the beginning. And I appreciate that, I kept calling a lot and he was very understanding and always put me at ease. That meant alot to me !. I would recommend him with all my heart, because I feel he is out there for “you” and doing his very best at what he does to try and help you. I want to thank Mr. Rodriguez with all My Heart for everything you did for us. Thank you so much ❤ Sincerely Grace G.

– Dee G.
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