What Are Your Options? Ask an SB 1437 Lawyer in Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista 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.
The Impact of SB 1437 Could Be Staggering
Many people wonder just how many people may be eligible to have their sentenced reduced. The truth is that an accurate estimate is impossible because there are no state-level records on how the felony murder sentencing laws have been applied. The changes are also new enough that we cannot be sure how the courts will react, and we do not know how many people will actually call an SB 1437 lawyer in Chula Vista CA for help. That said, some estimate that thousands of people may be eligible.
Call Us Today for a Free Initial Consultation with an SB 1437 Lawyer in Chula Vista CA
This process is not an overnight one. It takes time and the sooner you reach out to an SB 1437 lawyer in Chula Vista CA, the sooner you can get the process started. At Chambers Law Firm we are standing by to help assess your case and discover if it makes sense to file for a sentence reduction. Contact us now at 714-760-4088 for a free initial consultation.
