Let an SB 1437 Attorney in El Cajon CA Make Sure Your Sentence is Just
Activists and many in the legal field have been working tirelessly for years to convince the California legislature to change the unfair rules of the felony murder law. They have finally done so and today we are proud to be an SB 1437 attorney in El Cajon CA who can help certain eligible people who have been convicted of felony murder. If you want to know if you or your loved one’s sentence could be reduced, contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free initial consultation.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 El Cajon 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.
There Are Several Steps Involved in Applying for Resentencing
A person is not automatically resentenced if their case falls under the changes made by the legislature. Instead, they must fill out a petition and submit declarations regarding their conviction. Copies of those documents must then be sent either to the District Attorney or Attorney General – whichever office handled the original case. Copies must also be sent to either the Office of the Public Defender or an SB 1437 attorney in El Cajon CA.
It is worth mentioning that a person who was sentenced to life without parole after conviction of felony murder with “special circumstances” may still be eligible. We always suggest talking to an attorney about your individual case before deciding that you are not eligible.
Call an SB 1437 Attorney in El Cajon CA for a Free Initial Consultation
These are complicated cases. While it is right to be hopeful that this legislation can help your case, it is also worth noting that this is new law and there are still questions regarding how the courts will interpret parts of it. This is just one of the many reasons that it is worth working with an experienced attorney. Call Chambers Law Firm today at 714-760-4088 for a free initial consultation.
