SB 1437 Attorney in Beverly Hills CA

Lawmakers in the state of California have taken steps to right the wrongs that were occurring with the previous way in which the felony murder law was being applied. While the law is not dead entirely, significant changes have now been made – and many are retroactive. This means that a person already serving time could call an SB 1437 attorney in Beverly Hills CA and potentially have their sentence significantly reduced.

Do Any of These 3 Criteria Apply to Your Case?

While SB 1437 does not allow for everyone convicted via the felony murder rule to be resentenced, those who meet certain eligibility requirements can be resentenced. Generally speaking, the person in question would need to be fit into one of these three categories:

1. They were convicted under the first-degree felony murder rule and did not have kill, intend to kill, or act as a major participant in the felony with reckless indifference to human life.
2. They were convicted as an accomplish to a “target” crime under the second-degree felony murder and did not kill or act with malice in the killing.
3. They were convicted of second-degree murder.

Do one of these three categories cover the case you are concerned about? If so, that does not necessarily mean that the case is automatically eligible but it is a good sign. If you are not sure if one of these categories applies then you can contact your trial and / or appeal attorney to find out, talk to an SB 1437 attorney in Beverly Hills CA who is experienced in these cases, or review the sentencing requirements the judge read at the trail to see what type of crime the case involved.

How to File a Petition for Resentencing Under SB 1437

If a person is currently serving a sentence for felony murder then they can file a petition to be resentenced by submitting declarations regarding their conviction. This petition must be mailed to either the District Attorney or Attorney General, depending on which officer prosecuted the case. A copy of the petition must also be sent to a private SB 1437 attorney in Beverly Hills CA or the Office of the Public Defender.

This petition for resentencing can be filed by a person who was convicted of felony murder with “special circumstances” that resulted in death or life without parole. Certain special circumstance murders, such as a person being major participant in a felony that resulted in a killing, could be eligible for resentencing.

Ready for the Next Step? Contact an SB 1437 Attorney in Beverly Hills CA

This law and the way it is being applied is not simple. It requires the careful attention of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can assess if a case is eligible. If you are ready to move past general advice and get specific advice on the case you are curious about, then it is time to contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for your free initial consultation.