Los Angeles Homicide & Murder Case Criminal Defense Lawyer

There is no more serious charge in the California penal code than that of taking the life of another human being. In most circumstances, a conviction means a long prison sentence. Some cases can result in the death penalty. Our Los Angeles homicide and murder case lawyer strives to provide personalized attention and aggressive counsel. We will carefully review all the evidence, explain your rights under the law, and fight to ensure you receive a fair trial. Above all, we believe in our clients, even those who may have been abandoned by those closest to them.

Saffari Law Group offers a team with over 18 years of experience fighting criminal defense charges, including homicide and we’ve built up a track record of success that clients can rely on.

Call us today or reach out here online to set up a consultation.

The Penalties You Could Face for Murder in California

The exact sentencing guidelines depend on what specific murder charge was filed by the District Attorney’s office. What’s important to understand is that California law, still unfortunately harsh in nature, has several ways that sentences can be made even more severe, beyond the basic prison term guidelines provided in the penal code. For example:

• The state of California still uses the “Three Strikes” sentencing enhancement. This means there are certain crimes, homicide included, where the judge is obliged to issue a sentence of no less than 25 years in prison and perhaps a lifetime behind bars if this is the defendant’s third conviction. This includes cases where the standard sentencing guidelines may otherwise be less than that.
• Prison sentences can also be enhanced by other factors, including involvement in gang activity, hate crimes, injuring the elderly, or using a firearm or other dangerous weapon.
• Even upon release or parole, a convicted defendant may still see their rights diminished. This includes a loss of gun rights, professional licensing, or child custody, and perhaps a mandate to make restitution to the victim’s family.

Facing charges from the District Attorney’s office can be a scary time. At Saffari Law Group, we understand how to navigate the process and protect our clients.

Types of Homicide Charges We Can Fight in Los Angeles

The following are types of homicide charges our criminal defense lawyer has handled:

• Attempted Murder: As the name suggests, the defendant is alleged to have tried, but failed to kill their target. 
• Conspiracy to Commit Murder: This is when at least two people are involved in a plan to commit a murder, and at least one of them takes a direct step toward fulfilling that plan. Conspiracy charges, like attempted murder charges, can be brought simply by taking the first step, even if no actual death occurred. 
• First-Degree Murder: The most severe charge, this presumes that not only did the defendant kill the victim, but they did so with time to fully plan and consider what they were doing—or, to use legal terminology, they acted with malice aforethought. 
• Second-Degree Murder: Second-degree charges still require malice aforethought. A second-degree charge may be brought in cases where the murderous act itself is less egregious than a “cold-blooded” first-degree charge. In cases where the evidence against the defendant is weaker, a Los Angeles homicide lawyer might negotiate down from first-degree to second-degree charges in a plea agreement.

At Saffari Law Group, we avoid plea deals as often as possible—we prefer to defend our client at trial. But sometimes a plea is the best option. We’ll give thoughtful advice, based on our experience, depending on the details of your specific case. 

• Murder with Special Circumstances: The special circumstances can involve killing for a specific financial benefit (e.g., a life insurance death benefit or inheritance), or killing while trying to escape law enforcement. A defendant’s prior record can also be a special circumstance. Special circumstance charges are severe, and conviction means either life imprisonment without parole, or the death penalty. 
• Manslaughter: There are several classifications of manslaughter charges, which means that the defendant did not set out to kill anyone, but that the death resulted because of criminal negligence or recklessness. This includes involuntary manslaughter. Vehicular manslaughter, including involuntary, is its own separate category with its own procedure and sentencing guidelines. Deaths that result from driving while intoxicated are a prime example of a vehicular manslaughter case. 

Defenses We Can Use Against Murder Charges

Every case is different. That’s just one reason why Saffari Law Group is committed to treating every client like they’re the only one that comes through our doors. We’re structured so as to be able to give each case the intensely personal attention it deserves. We limit our cases to ensure we’re able to focus on you and your future. 

The defense strategy we’ll use to protect your freedom will be shaped by what our team finds in our diligent investigative process.

That said, there are some general defenses we could use, including the following:

• The most basic defense is simply that the prosecutor has failed to meet their burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
• You were acting in self-defense, either of themselves or someone else.
• In cases where the evidence is aligned against our client, there can be other defense strategies aimed at lesser charges. You lacked mental capacity to understand the gravity of the crime. Or, perhaps, a homicidal act was planned (a crime in and of itself) but you did not carry it out.

We discuss all available defense strategies with our clients in light of the specifics in each case. See what defense our Los Angeles murder defense lawyer can use to protect you and your freedom. Call us today.