At the Law Offices of Daniel R. Perlman, we have defended many clients charged with a violent crime, including murder charges and other high-level violent crimes. We can provide the strong defense you need if you have been charged with voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter. For help, contact our law office in Los Angeles; call 213-514-8324 or contact us by e-mail.
Manslaughter Charges in Los Angeles
If you discovered your spouse in bed with another lover and suddenly killed your spouse in a sudden rage, you may have been charged with first-degree murder. However, you may only be guilty of voluntary manslaughter, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of 11 years, as opposed to a life sentence.
California Penal Code 192 defines manslaughter as the unlawful killing of a human being without malice. The term malice is used in a highly technical sense and does not simply imply a feeling of anger. This point is clarified by CA Penal Code 192(a), which defines voluntary manslaughter as the unlawful killing of a human being without malice and “upon a sudden quarrel or the heat of passion.”
Voluntary Manslaughter Charges in Los Angeles
If you have been charged with murder and the evidence is stacked against you to show that you did unlawfully kill another person, seeking a conviction to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter may make a significant difference in your case.
To effectively raise such a defense, you must be able to establish that you were provoked, that a reasonable person in such a situation might be similarly provoked to kill, and that you did not have sufficient time to cool off and further contemplate your actions. If retained as your counsel, we will thoroughly investigate the facts of your case to determine which defense strategy gives you the best opportunity to protect your freedom.
Involuntary Manslaughter Charges in Los Angeles
Pursuant to California Penal Code 192(b), you may be charged with involuntary manslaughter under two separate circumstances:
- If you committed a crime (other than a felony) and unintentionally caused the death of another person.
- If you were engaged in a lawful act that might cause death and acted without “due caution and circumspection.”
A conviction for involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment. If you caused the unintentional death of another person and you were not committing a crime, it is not sufficient for the prosecution to allege that you made a mistake. The phrase “without due cause and circumspection” implies something more than a simple mistake.
Our Los Angeles attorneys can raise a number of issues and defenses on your behalf to raise the strong defense you need. A plea to a lesser offense or a plea that allows you to avoid a criminal conviction may be possible depending on the facts of your case. If you choose to fight your charges at trial, we have the skilled trial lawyers to aggressively defend your rights in the courtroom.
Contact Us
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles manslaughter defense lawyers, call 213-514-8324 or contact us by e-mail.
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