San Diego Murder Defense Attorney
Experienced Southern California Murder Defense Lawyer
Murder is one of the most serious violent crime charges that you can face. In California, certain murder charges will carry the death penalty for anyone convicted. If a murder is committed due to a hate crime or if a person murders a judge or police officer, he or she will face the death penalty. A typical first degree murder charge carries a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison, or possibly the death penalty. A second degree murder charge carries a state prison sentence of 15 years to life.
When your freedom and your very life are at stake, make sure you take a step in the right direction by hiring a capable murder defense attorney who can help you avoid the death penalty or a lifetime in prison. San Diego murder defense attorney James N. Dicks is qualified to help you with your case, regardless of the circumstances or the amount of evidence law enforcement has built against you. By offering a free initial consultation, attorney James Dicks gives you the opportunity to get advice as to what you can do.
Types of Murder Charges in California
Murder is usually charged either in the first or second degree, depending on the circumstances. Murder defense lawyer James Dicks is familiar with all types of murder charges and how they relate to California state law. By taking the time to review and get intimately familiar with your case, lawyer James Dicks is able to be most effective.
Murder may be classified into 2 different categories: 1st degree murder and 2nd degree murder. 1st degree murder is the more serious of the two and involves the killing of another person with malice and premeditation (planning). Therefore, the person would have thought about and planned the murder beforehand, rather than acting upon impulse or in the “heat of passion” as in voluntary manslaughter charges. 2nd degree murder is a homicide committed with malice but without premeditation or planning and that is not committed in the heat of passion. There is one final form of murder, covered under the felony murder rule. Under this, when a homicide occurs during the commission of a felony, even when accidental, this qualifies as murder.
Contact San Diego murder defense lawyer James N. Dicks today! |