K. J. Petsas Criminal Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Homicide includes murder and manslaughter

The unlawful killing of a human being or a fetus with malice of forethought–Definition of murder, California Penal Code Section 187

In a 2011 report, the California Office of the Legislative Analyst notes the California crime rate has declined each year since 2003. While this is good news, the same report points out the California rate of violent crime such as murder, rape, and assault, remains higher than average for the United States.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 121,369 people were arrested on violent crime charges in California in 2009. Conviction on first-degree murder charges can result in the death penalty, whereas conviction on involuntary manslaughter may result in a prison sentence of two to four years. Because the consequences of these crimes is so serious, defending the rights of people accused of these crimes is best done by experienced criminal defense attorneys.

The different kinds of homicide charges

Homicide is the category of crime that includes murder and manslaughter. Other distinctions among homicide charges in California include the following:

• First-degree murder is killing through use of a destructive or explosive device, lying in wait, inflicting torture, or taking a life in the process of another felony crime.
• Capitol murder with special circumstances is also punishable by the death penalty or life in prison without parole and includes several types of murder including killing for financial gain, killing a police officer, and murdering more than one victim
• Manslaughter includes voluntary, involuntary, and vehicular manslaughter. Penalties depend on circumstances of the death.

Seasoned legal help with felony charges in California

Among other arguments, an experienced criminal defense lawyer may use the following defenses in a homicide case:

• Self-defense
• Accident
• Insanity
• Mistaken identity
• Improperly obtained confession, or evidence

Being convicted of taking a life can result in the loss of life or liberty. If arrested on homicide charges, your first call should be to a good criminal defense attorney.

Contact us

A San Mateo criminal lawyer at Petsas and Stephens, LLP will bring unique skill to their defense of clients charged with felonies, misdemeanors, and other crime in San Francisco, San Mateo, and throughout the San Francisco Bay area. If you are charged with a crime, or if you believe you are under suspicion, contact us today at 650-624-8155. Our offices are located at 1475 Huntington Avenue, Suite 205, South San Francisco, CA 94080.