Get the Help You Need by Contacting an SB 1437 Lawyer in El Cajon CA
Were you or a loved one sentenced under the felony murder rule in California? If so, then it is essential to contact an SB 1437 lawyer in El Cajon CA sooner rather than later. Though these laws have been in place for decades, recent changes have made it so that many people previously sentenced are eligible for significant reductions in their sentences – even those who are serving life without the possibility of parole.
The New Aspects of the Felony Murder Rule
Today, a person can only be sentenced via the felony murder rule if one of the following is proven:
- 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.
SB 1437 also made it retroactive, which means that if a person is not guilty of any of those four criteria, but were sentenced via felony murder rule, they are likely eligible to have their sentence reduced. There are still many questions about the way the new law will be applied – such as how the courts will view the definition of “major participant” but an SB 1437 lawyer in El Cajon CA can help you determine if your case likely qualifies.
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 El Cajon CA for help. That said, some estimate that thousands of people may be eligible.
An SB 1437 Lawyer in El Cajon CA Can Help You Determine Your Options
Whether it was you or a loved one, a conviction involving the felony murder rule is worth having an attorney consider. When you contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation, you can speak to an SB 1437 lawyer in El Cajon CA who can help you better understand your options. Call us now and we can get started right away.
