Santa Ana Attempted Murder Attorney

January 29, 2023

Attempted murder charges are extremely serious because it may carry a life sentence. It is never recommended to believe the criminal justice system will work in your favor. When the stakes are high, you need to protect yourself and hire an experienced Santa Ana attempted murder attorney.

Attorney John D. Rogers is an accomplished Orange County criminal defense attorney and board-certified specialist in criminal law. A certified specialist is a rare achievement and is only held by a small group of criminal defense lawyers in Orange County. Contact the Law Offices of John D. Rogers today to schedule a free consultation.

An experienced Santa Ana attempted murder attorney may be able to dismiss your case or reduce the charges.

Overview of Attempted Murder Charges in Santa Ana


Attempted murder is charged under penal code 187/664. Attempted murder is defined as an individual taking a direct but ineffective step toward causing the death of another person with the intent to kill. This means that the person must have specifically intended to kill another person and taken a direct step towards carrying out that intent, but the attempted killing was not successful.

Examples of direct steps that could qualify as attempted murder include:

  • Pointing a loaded gun at someone and pulling the trigger
  • Attempting to strangle or suffocate someone
  • Poisoning someone’s food or drink
  • Hiring someone to kill someone else

Punishment for Attempted Murder


Attempted murder is considered a very serious crime and can result in severe penalties upon conviction. The punishment for second-degree attempted murder in California is a prison sentence of five, seven, or nine years in state prison. The punishment for first-degree attempted murder carries a sentence of life in prison.

What is the Difference Between First and Second Degree Attempted Murder?


In California, attempted murder is divided into two degrees: first-degree and second-degree. The difference between the two is based on the level of planning and premeditation that went into the attempted killing.

First-degree attempted murder is defined as an individual taking a direct but ineffective step towards causing the death of another person with the specific intent to kill and with premeditation and deliberation. This means that the person planned and thought about the attempted killing before taking action.

Second-degree attempted murder is defined as an individual taking a direct but ineffective step towards causing the death of another person with the specific intent to kill but without premeditation and deliberation. This means that the person did not plan or think about the attempted killing beforehand but acted impulsively or in the heat of the moment.

We Provide an Exceptional Defense to Attempted Murder


Our office prides itself on conducting thorough defense investigations for our clients. We will question witnesses, consult with experts, and employ private investigators to instill confidence in our clients that we are protecting their rights.

The prosecution must prove intent and direct step, which can be difficult to prove. In many cases, the charges may be reduced to lesser charges such as assault with a deadly weapon or attempted voluntary manslaughter. Other defenses may include:

  • Mistaken identification
  • Self-Defense
  • Alibi

Call an Experienced Santa Ana Attempted Murder Attorney Today


If you or a loved one is facing attempted murder charges in Santa Ana, it is important to contact an experienced Santa Ana attempted murder attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can advise you on your legal options, help you understand the criminal justice process, and build a strong defense on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.

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