Getting convicted for any crime can be scary. However, one of the worst possible experiences someone can have is getting convicted of homicide, which involves causing another person's death. Depending on the state, the defendant can face a life sentence in prison or even get the death penalty. In any case, getting an experienced criminal defense attorney to help the defendant is essential. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Sacramento, CA, can help the defendant either reduce or drop their charges and considering homicide is one of the most serious convictions someone can get in criminal law, it's critical to get as much help as possible. The Sacramento criminal defense attorney at Goss Law is ready to help any person who got charged with homicide. They will build a case, talk to the responsible police officer for the case, gather evidence, and do any other task that the defendant may need. Those interested in learning more about Sacramento criminal defense lawyers and homicide cases can read more about the topic below.
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What Are the Different Homicide Categories?
Criminal law in California covers two different types of homicide, which are involuntary manslaughter and criminal homicide.
Criminal Homicide
Criminal charges for voluntary manslaughter (or murder) can vary depending on the circumstances, although both cases are considered unjustifiable in the eyes of the law.
Voluntary manslaughter happens when someone kills another human being without premeditation, meaning the act happened as one of "passion."
On the other hand, murder happens when the killer acts with premeditation.
Depending on the intent and circumstances of the act, the person can get charged with either first-degree or second-degree murder.
Involuntary/Intentional Homicide
In some cases, another person's death can be due to recklessness, negligence, or as the result of a misdemeanor crime. This is considered involuntary manslaughter.
The state of California, however, states that gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is a felony offense, which can get the defendant up to 10 years in prison plus fines.
While the criminal charges, in this case, aren't as severe as those in voluntary manslaughter, it's still important for the defendant to hire someone who knows criminal defense law thoroughly.
Excusable/Justifiable Homicide
Finally, an excusable homicide happens when the defendant killed someone without any premeditation or criminal intent.
This case is common in:
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Self-defense cases
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Cases when a police officer kills someone else in their line of duty to defend another person.
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Cases when the defendant kills someone to defend another person.
It's important to note that this doesn't apply to homicides that happened because the defendant wanted to defend their property. Still, a good criminal defense law firm could argue self-defense.
In any case, the defendant will always need the help of a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer to ensure they have the best chances at getting a more positive outcome out of their case.
What Penalties Can a Defendant Face if They're Convicted of Homicide?
The penalties someone can get will vary depending on their intent and the severity of the crime. In the worst-case scenario, the defendant can get the death penalty, whereas the best-case scenario involves getting all the charges dropped.
Getting the charges reduced or dropped is mostly common in excusable homicides, and even then, it's vital to hire a Sacramento criminal defense lawyer who can argue a good defense.
Even if the defendant got their charges reduced, they would still get that on their criminal record, which will pose a problem whenever they try to find employment or a home in the future.
What Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Someone with?
A Sacramento criminal lawyer from Goss Law will provide the legal representation that any defendant deserves for their case.
Getting accused of homicide is serious, and building a case without the help of criminal defense attorneys is a huge mistake.
Overall, a Sacramento criminal defense attorney will guide the defendant through their case and let them know about all the available options for their defense.
Moreover, the law office will do everything in its power to throw out any unfair evidence, which is common in California.
If any defendant in Sacramento criminal cases is innocent, the defense attorney at Goss Law will do everything to ensure they get a positive outcome from their case.
What Will a Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorney Do for the Defendant?
People can seek a free consultation from Goss Law offices and seek counseling for their case.
The legal services that this law firm offers include the following:
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Collecting police reports and other evidence that support the defendant's claims.
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Talking to a former police officer or any other person who was at the scene of the homicide.
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Building a strong defense strategy for the defendant.
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Providing support to the defendant in any plea agreement negotiations with a prosecutor or police officer. In some cases, negotiating a plea can reduce the defendant's criminal charges.
Overall, the most important aspect of the Goss Law office is that it will support the defendant under any circumstance and provide guidance in these hard times.
What Should People Look for When Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney?
There are many things that someone must consider before talking to any law office. Getting charged with homicide is severe enough, so it's important to work with a true expert on criminal defense law.
Overall, some of the factors that a person should consider before talking to a lawyer include:
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The location of the law office
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The legal concentration of the team (some lawyers focus on white collar crimes, others on sexual offenses, and so on)
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The office's terms and legal fees
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The team's reputation
It's important to note that, in homicide cases, the defendant may be able to hire someone from the public defender's office.
However, these legal counselors tend to be extremely busy, so the best thing to do is to hire a private lawyer instead of a public one.
Bottom Line - Talk to an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The team at Goss Law is ready to help defendants fight the severe penalties that come from a homicide case.
Regardless of the circumstances of the event, these legal counselors will provide the best defense possible and do everything in their power to reduce or drop the charges.
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