Can an SB 1437 Lawyer in San Diego CA Help You?
California SB 1437 dramatically changes the ways in which a person can be sentenced via the felony murder rule. Those who have been sentenced according to this rule often wonder: Do I have options? The answer depends on the specifics of your case. Yes, some convictions can allow for resentencing but only those that qualify. The best way to find out for sure which answer applies to your case is to contact an SB 1437 lawyer in San Diego CA by calling Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
The New Criteria for Felony Murder Conviction Are Retroactive
Advocates for fairer sentencing were successful in getting the requirements for felony murder sentencing changed. They were even more successful in one important one: The law is now retroactive. This means that even a person convicted and sentenced a decade ago can benefit from these changes. Today at least one of the following must be proven true for the felony murder rule to be applicable.
- 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.
Likewise, if a person was already sentenced in relation to the felony murder law, and their crime does not fall into one of those categories, they may be eligible for resentencing.
There Are Three Reasons it is Hard to Predict the Long-Term Effect of SB 1437
Many people ask us: Just how many people will be freed or see significant sentence reductions due to this change in the law? The answer is that it depends. We are looking at three different reasons that making a prediction is hard:
- We do not know how many people will reach out to an SB 1437 lawyer in San Diego CA to put the process in motion.
- We do not know how many people have been sentenced under felony murder law in California due to the lack of detailed records.
- We do not know how the courts will decide on certain aspects of these cases because the law is so new.
All of this points to one reality: You should call for help and advice sooner rather than later. It is our hope that everyone who is eligible will apply to have their sentence adjusted but this is unlikely.
Do Not Wait: Get a Free Consultation from an SB 1437 Lawyer in San Diego CA
The plain truth is that there is no reason to waste time. Contact an attorney today and find out if your case qualifies for a sentence reduction. You can always reach out to Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for more information on your particular case. We are happy to offer a free initial consultation.
