ATTEMPTED MURDER

A California attempted murder charge can result in a sentence up to life in prison. The crime is charged under California Penal Code Section 664/187 (PC 664/187). Additional allegations will often be added to this charge, including allegations for gang involvement, use of a weapon, or the infliction of great bodily injury (GBI). An attempted murder charge in Los Angeles or Orange County is a serious matter that requires an experienced criminal defense attorney. As a former prosecutor and now as a defense attorney, I have experience handling numerous Los Angeles attempted murders. Call or email today to schedule a time to meet in person or over the phone so I can learn more details about your case. Below is some additional information specifically about a California attempted murder charge.

HAVE YOU BEEN  CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER?

If you or a loved one is being investigated for attempted murder, then the first and most important step is to contact an attorney. As an experienced Manhattan Beach attempted murder attorney, I bring my experience as a former prosecutor who has experience with numerous attempted murder cases and actual success at trial. An attempted murder in California will require the prosecution to prove essentially the same elements as murder but with the change that the murder was not completed. Essentially, the elements are that a defendant took a direct step towards killing another person and had the specific intent to kill that person. An attempted murder in Los Angeles can be charged in the first or second degree, just as murder can be charged. For more information on how degrees are determined, please click on the “Murder” tab under practice areas.

EXAMPLES

·         An Inglewood defendant is arrested by the Inglewood Police Department. The Inglewood defendant is accused of shooting another person in the chest one time at close range. The other person is injured but survives. The district attorney’s office is likely to charge the defendant with attempted murder in the Inglewood Courthouse and add an allegation for discharging a firearm and causing great bodily injury.

·         A Torrance defendant is arrested by the Torrance Police Department. The Torrance defendant is accused of attacking another person with a baseball bat. During the incident, witnesses claim that the defendant was saying that he was going to kill the other person and then striking the other person in the head with the bat. The other individual is injured but lived. Due to the alleged words and actions of the defendant, it is likely the Los Angeles prosecutor’s office will charge the defendant with attempted murder in the Torrance Courthouse.

DEFENSES TO ATTEMPTED MURDER

The defense to an attempted murder in Los Angeles or Orange County can focus on either factual or legal issues. Depending on the details of the case, I will craft a strategy that best fits the individual case. At times, this may involve a strategy of arguing that you or your loved one is simply not guilty of any crime. At other times, the strategy may be to argue that this is an assault and not an attempted murder. The difference between those two charges can mean the difference between a life sentence in California prison or a sentence that allows a defendant to remain with their family.

TRIAL ON ATTEMPTED MURDER

A trial on attempted murder in Los Angeles or the surrounding area is simply not within the capabilities of most Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys. I have actual experience with attempted murder cases in Los Angeles at every stage from arraignment through a full jury trial. Contact me today so I can learn more about the details of your particular case and so that you can learn more about my experience, education , and skills that allow me to be one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles.