Murder
Table of Contents
Orange County Murder Attorney
Have you been charged or under investigation for murder in Orange County? Retaining an experienced and reputable Orange County murder attorney will be the most important decision you make. Any responsible lawyer will tell you that cases of this severe require an attorney’s entire attention and focus.
Murder cases are assigned to special prosecutors in the homicide unit who are allocated unlimited resources to ensure that a defendant later stands convicted. Consequently, you need an attorney that will stand up to the government and vehemently assert your rights and defenses. You can be relieved knowing that our office will effectively, tactically, and artfully set forth your defense. Contact us today by phone or submit an inquiry form to discuss your case.
A California murder conviction carries an indeterminate life sentence.
Early Intervention of an Experienced Murder Lawyer in Orange County
Retaining an Orange County murder attorney at the initial stages of the case will help increase your chances of stopping it from prosecution. It will give our office a chance to investigate the accusation, question witnesses, and obtain evidence the police failed to collect. This gives you a chance of collecting and preserving evidence before it becomes lost, deleted, or memories of critical witnesses fade. Additionally, retaining a lawyer will stop homicide detectives from questioning you. Oftentimes, making a statement to the police without an attorney causes irreparable harm to your defenses.
It is common for investigators to misinterpret situations or evidence and arrest the wrong person. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that because you didn’t actually commit homicide, the California criminal justice system will recognize that. Never leave your future and freedom up to chance. Take a more proactive approach and gather evidence and move to deflect the allegations before it gets out of control.
Overview and Penalties for Murder Charges
In California, murder is one of the most serious charges pursued by prosecutors. Murder is charged under penal code 187 pc.[1] It is divided into degrees: first degree and second degree.
Murder is punishable as follows:
- First-degree murder is punishable in state prison for a period of 25 years to life.
- Second-degree murder carries a state prison sentence of 15 years to life.
The prosecutor can allege any of the following theories, among others, of murder:
- Criminal Street Gang
- Reckless Indifference
- Multiple Murders
- Murder of a Police Officer
- Destructive Device / Bomb
- Felony Murder Rule
- Lying in Wait
- Torture
Lesser forms of homicide include:
- Voluntary Manslaughter – Penal Code 192(a) PC
- Involuntary Manslaughter – Penal Code 192(b) PC
- Vehicular Manslaughter – Penal Code 192(c) PC
Recent Success in a Serious Life Case
Orange County criminal defense attorney John D. Rogers conducted a jury trial in Los Angeles where his client was facing 5-counts of attempted murder. The jury deliberated for less than a day returning a verdict of not guilty on all charges. It was said that this was the largest jury acquittal in a serious case all year.
Defense Strategies to Orange County Murder Charges
If our client has been charged with murder in Orange County, Mr. Rogers will carefully examine all the forensic evidence, eyewitness statements, police investigatory procedure, and other areas to uncover viable defenses. After conducting a full investigation, Mr. Rogers will meet with the client to discuss the best defense options. Some of the defenses include:
- Alibi
- Mistaken Identity
- Insufficient Evidence
- Lack of Intent / Accident
- Self-Defense or Defense of Another
- Question the Forensic Evidence (DNA)
- Lack of Witness Credibility
- Coerced Confession
- Constitutional Violations
Our goal is to exonerate our clients whenever possible by obtaining a full dismissal of the murder charge or a not-guilty verdict at trial. When appropriate, we will explore settlement options that could result in a reduction to manslaughter or even a lesser offense.
Contact an Experienced Orange County Murder Attorney
If you are being investigated in connection with a murder case or you have been formally charged, we understand that you are overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and stress over your future. Whether you are falsely accused, over-charged, or made a regrettable mistake, Orange County murder attorney John D. Rogers provides you with an aggressive defense without judgment. He is a board-certified criminal law specialist by the State Bar of California. This distinction is only held by a small group of California criminal defense lawyers.
We understand the devastating consequences to your life and your family if you stand convicted. Therefore, we utilize our extensive background in handling serious cases, investigative resources, and experts to protect your freedom and save your life. Our Newport Beach defense office provides free confidential consultations so that we can listen to your side of the story and explain your legal rights and possible defenses. We invite you to contact us by phone or submit an inquiry request to learn how we can begin representing you.[2]
[1] Penal Code 187(a) provides, “Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought.”
[2] We serve the following localities: Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Westminster, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos, Placentia, Irvine, Tustin, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Orange, Brea, Buena Park, Chino Hills, Norwalk, Riverside, Corona, Long Beach, Indio, Palm Springs, Murrieta, Temecula, Ontario, Compton, Pomona, Downey, Bellflower.
