Orange County Murder Defense Lawyers
Murder Defense
cases we handle
Our Anaheim murder defense attorneys offer powerful defense for individuals facing charges for violent crimes:
What is murder legally defined as?
Murder is the illegal killing of a person with malice aforethought.
What's the difference between malice aforethought and pre-meditation?
Pre-meditation involves the deliberate planning of someone else's death and carries potentially harsher penalties, including capital punishment in the State of California.
Malice aforethought is a broader term. It constitutes a state of mind that's potentially dangerous. That state of mind could involve the intent to kill or seriously harm another human being. It could involve reckless negligence or indifference to human life. Finally, it can involve intent to commit a felony. To convict someone of felony murder in California, however, the prosecution must show that the offender was engaged in a particularly dangerous kind of felony, such as arson, rape, or burglary.
Are all criminal homicides considered murders?
No. Some criminal deaths can be classified as manslaughter - a serious offense but one that carries with it less harsh penalties.
What are the basic legal elements of murder, legally speaking?
The actus reus involves the actual physical homicide. The mens rea involves the state of mind of the person who committed the killing. As discussed above, in order for a homicide in California to qualify as a murder, the offender's action must have been intended, pre-meditated, or brought on by wanton negligence.
Are all homicides considered criminal offenses?
No. In some cases, homicides can result from unfortunate or accidental circumstances. For instance, if a driver accidentally kills a pedestrian who enters into the street for no reason, the driver cannot be charged with a crime unless it can be shown that his/her negligence was in some way responsible for the death.
What should you do if the police have charged you with murder?
First and foremost, connect with a criminal defense attorney. Orange County homicide defense lawyer Jeremy Goldman has practiced criminal defense law for over 11 years, first as a Public Defender and now as a private practicing lawyer. He has tremendous experience with jury trials and has settled several high profile homicide cases. For more information, browse our criminal defense website or call (949) 622-5417 to schedule a confidential consultation.
The Atrium Building, 19200 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 500, Irvine, CA 92612
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For an Immediate Free Consultation with an experienced California Criminal Lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman. We will give your case the personal attention it deserves every step of the way.