Talk to an SB 1437 Lawyer in Clovis CA to Find Out What Your Options Are
Have you or a loved one been affected by felony murder rule sentencing guidelines? If so, then now is the time to learn more about changes to these laws. You can continue reading to find out what the California legislature has done in an attempt to make sentencing fairer. Then contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 to schedule a free initial consultation with an SB 1437 lawyer in Clovis CA.
The New Aspects of the Felony Murder Rule
Today, a person can only be sentenced via the felony murder rule if one of the following is proven:
- They actually killed a person.
- They acted with intent to kill. For example, they helped or encouraged the killer.
- They were a major participant in the crime and acted with reckless indifference to human life.
- The murder victim was an on-duty police officer and the defendant knew (or reasonably should have known) that they were a police officer.
SB 1437 also made it retroactive, which means that if a person is not guilty of any of those four criteria, but were sentenced via felony murder rule, they are likely eligible to have their sentence reduced. There are still many questions about the way the new law will be applied – such as how the courts will view the definition of “major participant” but an SB 1437 lawyer in Clovis CA can help you determine if your case likely qualifies.
The Impact of SB 1437 Could Be Significant
When you speak to an SB 1437 Lawyer in Clovis CA, you will learn that there are three main reasons that the full extent of the effect of this change to the law is not yet known. First, the law is new enough that we do not have precedents for how the courts will interpret certain parts. Second, there are no reliable stats on how many people were sentenced via the felony murder rule. Third, it is unknown how many people will be aware of the change and know to contact an SB 1437 lawyer in Clovis CA.
Do Not Hesitate to Call an SB 1437 Lawyer in Clovis CA
If you believe that your case or the case of a loved one may be affected by the changes to the felony murder law then there is no time to spare. The sentence will not be automatically reduced – you must apply for it. Even then, several steps need to be taken before you will be successful. Contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 right now for a free legal consultation to learn more about your options.
