In the state of California, the potential punishment for attempted murder is almost as serious as the potential punishment for murder. In order for the prosecutor to gain a conviction, they must first prove two elements of the crime so concretely that the jury has no reasonable doubt. In the event of a conviction, the punishment can be severe.
Potential sentences for attempted murder in the state of California
In California there are two classifications for attempted murder: first-degree and second-degree. Both are punishable by as much as life in prison with the possibility of parole. Punishment can also include victim restitution, as much as $10,000 in fines, receiving a strike toward our Three Strikes Laws, and the inability to carry, possess, own, or acquire a firearm for the rest of your life. In short, if you’re charged with attempted murder then you need a criminal defense attorney who will leave no stone unturned in your defense.
You do have defense options
When you contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088, we’ll provide a free consultation during which we’ll cover your case and provide potential defense options. Depending on the specifics of your charges and the evidence against you, we may work to prove that you didn’t have “specific intent” to kill the person in question.
In California, absent specific intent to kill someone, a guilty verdict cannot be obtained. The law also requires that you took a “direct step” toward planning the homicide. Even if you came up with an elaborate and specific plan, even if you take every step to ensure it will happen flawlessly, if you’re caught before executing the next step – a direct step – then you aren’t guilty of attempted murder based on the criteria as set up by California.
A third defense option is to show that you were acting in self-defense. This may be relevant if you did take the actions and you did intend to kill someone, but you were doing it only to protect your own life.
Your next best move is simple: Contact an experienced attorney
Attempted murder isn’t just a felony, it’s a violent felony. If you’ve been convicted of prior felonies then this could be the third strike, which could lead to a mandatory sentence of 25-life in state prison. At Chambers Law Firm, we know how serious this is. We will do everything we need to, including working with our own investigators, hiring expert witnesses, and combing through every ounce of evidence.
This is not the time to work with a rookie criminal defense attorney. You need an attorney who is not only willing to fight for you but has fought for clients for decades. At Chambers Law Firm, you will be working directly with an attorney whose top priority will be your case. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 for your free consultation.
