Los Angeles Attempted Murder Defense Lawyers
Have you been charged with murder, attempted murder or another high-level violent crime in California? If so, contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Daniel R. Perlman; call 213-514-8324 or contact us by e-mail.
Attempted Murder Allegations & California Law
In California, a conviction for attempted murder could result in a life term in prison. Our Los Angeles attorneys are here to raise the strong defense you need.
Your attempted murder case will be based off of the following factors:
- The prosecution must prove that you intended to kill your alleged victim. It is not enough that you intended to hurt the alleged victim.
- The prosecution must prove that you took a direct step toward killing another person. The state must prove something more than simple planning. Evidence that you shot a gun at a person’s head or chest, stabbed someone in the chest, paid someone to commit murder or took other direct steps may satisfy this element of attempted murder, but there are situations that create gray areas that may be exploited to a defendant’s advantage to create reasonable doubt.
Attempted Murder – California Penal Code Section 664:
- If the crime attempted is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170, the person guilty of the attempt shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison or in a county jail, respectively, for one-half the term of imprisonment prescribed upon a conviction of the offense attempted. However, if the crime attempted is willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder, as defined in Section 189, the person guilty of that attempt shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life with the possibility of parole. If the crime attempted is any other one in which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment or death, the person guilty of the attempt shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for five, seven, or nine years. The additional term provided in this section for attempted willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder shall not be imposed unless the fact that the attempted murder was willful, deliberate, and premeditated is charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted or found to be true by the trier of fact.
- Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if attempted murder is committed upon a peace officer or firefighter, as those terms are defined in paragraphs (7) and (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 190.2, a custodial officer, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 831 or subdivision (a) of Section 831.5, a custody assistant, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 831.7, or a nonsworn uniformed employee of a sheriff’s department whose job entails the care or control of inmates in a detention facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 289.6, and the person who commits the offense knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a peace officer, firefighter, custodial officer, custody assistant, or nonsworn uniformed employee of a sheriff’s department engaged in the performance of his or her duties, the person guilty of the attempt shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life with the possibility of parole.
- Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if the elements of subdivision (e) are proven in an attempted murder and it is also charged and admitted or found to be true by the trier of fact that the attempted murder was willful, deliberate, and premeditated, the person guilty of the attempt shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 15 years to life. Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 2930) of Chapter 7 of Title 1 of Part 3 shall not apply to reduce this minimum term of 15 years in state prison, and the person shall not be released prior to serving 15 years’ confinement.
Attempted Murder Charges in Los Angeles
We have defended hundreds of clients throughout California against criminal charges, including murder charges and other high-level felony offenses. We understand the tremendous time, commitment and resources that are required to effectively raise a strong defense in such cases. As a former prosecutor, Daniel Perlman understands what prosecutors need to build a strong case and obtain a conviction. He understands which defense strategies may be used effectively on behalf of a person accused of attempted murder.
Defense Against Attempted Murder Charges in Los Angeles
If retained as your counsel, we will thoroughly investigate the facts of your case to explore defenses that may be used to seek a favorable outcome on your behalf. Were you acting in self-defense? Was a person killed in a fight in which you did not intend to kill the victim? Was the victim’s death an accident? Is this a case of mistaken identity? These and other issues will be fully explored to provide the strong defense you need.
Contact Us
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles attempted murder attorneys, call 213-514-8324 or contact us by e-mail.
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