What Are Your Options? Ask an SB 1437 Lawyer in Chino CA
If you have heard of the recent changes to the felony murder law in California, and you or a loved one has been convicted and sentenced according to it, then you may wonder: What are your options? The best way to get a direct answer to your specific questions is to contact an SB 1437 lawyer in Chino CA for a free legal consultation by calling Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088. You can also read on for more details.
There Are 4 New Criteria for Conviction of Felony Murder
Under the new law, a person can only be guilty under the felony murder law if one of the following four factors are true:
- 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.
The court will likely consider a number of factors to determine if the person in question was a “major participant” in the crime, including their role in planning the crime, in supply weapons, and how aware they were of the dangers of the crime, for example the weapons used.
Thousands of People Could Be Affected by SB 1437
Though the law was only recently implemented and the long-term results cannot yet be known, it appears that thousands of people may be eligible to have their sentences shortened. It is hard to estimate for three reasons:
- The law is too new to know how the courts will rule on certain aspects of it.
- There are no “felony murder law” stats kept by the state so there is no reliable way to know for sure how many people have been convicted under previous laws.
- We do not know how many people will know to contact an SB 1437 lawyer in Chino CA.
The truth is that many people may simply not be aware that they are eligible to be released for prison or have their sentence reduced. It is to the benefit of the state to disseminate the information, as the average prison costs the state $80,000 per day, but only time will show how well covered the changes will be.
Are You Ready to Learn More? Call for a Free Consultation with an SB 1437 Lawyer in Chino CA
This is a process that will take some time. This should dissuade anyone from taking the necessary steps to get the process started, but it should encourage them to contact an SB 1437 lawyer in Chino CA sooner rather than later. You can reach Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 to request a free initial consultation. We are standing by to assess your case and give you the legal advice you need.
