San Joaquin Homicide Attorneys

Homicide Defense in Sacramento & Stanislaus County

If you have been accused of homicide, do not make any statements to police, under any circumstances. Instead, immediately seek guidance from an experienced lawyer. While not all homicide charges are alike, the details behind your charge and what you may unwittingly share with the police can be crucial to your defense.

Homicide, Murder, & Manslaughter: Understanding the Difference

There are two different types of homicide: Manslaughter and murder (both of which are defined under California Penal Code Section 187). 

While the law is extremely detailed and specific, even down to the type of victim or method, the main difference between manslaughter and murder in California are:

• Manslaughter charges are reserved for those who kill another without any intent to cause their death
• Murder charges require a malicious intent to end a life. There are three degrees of murder: First-degree, second-degree, and capital murder.

Regardless of which type of homicide you have been charged with, criminal court proceedings for homicide defense can be complicated and demanding, and typically include the following:

• Pretrial hearing that will establish ground rules, as well as the direction of your case
• Investigation and the discovery of potential evidence
• Preliminary hearings to establish case
• Negotiations among prosecution and defense
• Motions between both sides
• Trial (if it goes to trial without plea)