Murder / Manslaughter

Murder and Manslaughter Defense Lawyers

Serving San Diego County, California

There is a huge difference between murder and manslaughter. Murder can bring a long jail sentence; manslaughter could bring just probation. Depending on the circumstances and the skill of a defense attorney, a murder charge can be reduced to manslaughter.

The attorneys of San Diego Criminal Defense have more than 30 combined years defending people accused of serious crimes. They fight hard on each case, using every possible means to minimize jail sentences for their clients. Contact us to set up a free, confidential initial consultation with one of our attorneys.

Homicide Charges Defined

• HOMICIDE is the killing of one human being by another, either lawfully or unlawfully. Homicide includes both Murder and Manslaughter.
• MURDER is defined as the unlawful and unjustified killing of another human being with malice aforethought. (Penal Code §187). “Malice Aforethought” is defined as an intention to unlawfully kill a human being.
• MANSLAUGHTER is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought. Essentially, the difference between manslaughter and murder is that manslaughter was the result of an accident.
• VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER occurs when a person drives a vehicle and unintentionally but unlawfully kills another human being.
• VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER occurs when a person kills another in the heat of passion, without planning beforehand.
• INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, also known as criminally negligent homicide, occurs when a death is an indirect result of recklessness or negligence. An example would be dropping a large rock onto a highway, only to see the rock hit a car and cause it to crash.

Crimes involving homicide are very complex, and can expose the defendant to the most severe punishments possible in the California penal system. In some murder cases, the defendant can receive life in prison, or in the very worst cases, even death. However, when a person is charged with or convicted of manslaughter, or even attempted murder, the defendant may be eligible to receive probation.

For no other crime is it more important to hire an experienced lawyer. The lawyer's knowledge of murder and manslaughter defenses, sentencing guidelines, and alternative sentencing procedures is vital in receiving the minimum sentence rather than the maximum. At San Diego Criminal Defense, we have handled murder / manslaughter cases before, and we know how to use the system to get you the best possible outcome.

Contact Us

For a free, confidential initial consultation with an experienced murder / manslaughter defense attorney, call 619.231.6577 or email us through our contact page. We can meet with you in a free consultation during weekdays, weekends or evenings, and we have a 24-hour answering service ready to take your call.