Murder or Manslaughter Defense
Leading your defense to success
A crime in which a person’s life is taken or lost is very serious and can be punishable by imprisonment and even death, depending upon the circumstances of the situation. Murder and manslaughter offenses are often considered some of the most heinous crimes that can be committed and are therefore treated accordingly by prosecutors. If you have been accused of murder or manslaughter, it is absolutely vital that you protect your rights. Your case can benefit from the experience of a seasoned defense attorney who is familiar with murder charges in Southern California.
Attorney Errol Cook is extremely aggressive and has successfully fought for the rights of thousands of Californians. If you are facing serious charges that could result in a lifetime of incarceration, you need to give yourself the best chance to protect your, your family, and your way of life.
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Murder / Manslaughter
The California Penal Code, murder is the “unlawful killing of a human being…with malice aforethought.” Homicides have different degrees that result in different punishments:
First degree murder: A charge of first degree murder is likely if the homicide was premeditated and committed intentionally. A charge of first degree murder may also be filed if the killing was caused by explosive device, torture and/or poisoning. If the homicide resulted from the commission of another crime such as rape, kidnapping, carjacking, arson or other serious felony, you can also be charged with murder in the first degree.
If you are guilty of murder in the first degree in California, you can be punished by death.
Second degree murder: Penal Code Section 189 states that all other types of murder apart from those described as first degree murder are considered a murder in the second degree.
Manslaughter is defined as the “unlawful killing of a human being without malice.” There are generally three (3) types of manslaughter in California:
Voluntary manslaughter: A voluntary manslaughter can result when a person is killed in an argument or in the “heat” of the moment.
Involuntary manslaughter: An involuntary manslaughter charge can result if the person is killed during the commission of an unlawful non-felony act or if the death was caused by lack of proper caution/care during a lawful activity.
Vehicular manslaughter: If you kill another person with your vehicle because of your gross negligence, you can be charged with vehicular manslaughter. This charge can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony.