SB 1437 Lawyer in Stockton CA

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Can an SB 1437 Lawyer in Stockton 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 Stockton 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.

  1. They actually killed a person.
  2. They acted with intent to kill. For example, they helped or encouraged the killer.
  3. They were a major participant in the crime and acted with reckless indifference to human life.
  4. 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.

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:

  1. The law is too new to know how the courts will rule on certain aspects of it.
  2. 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.
  3. We do not know how many people will know to contact an SB 1437 lawyer in Stockton 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.

Today is the Day to Request a Free Initial Consultation from an SB 1437 Lawyer in Stockton CA

There is no reason to wait to find out if you or your loved on qualifies for resentencing. Getting the answers you need is as simple as contacting Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free initial consultation. We can assess the case in question and offer our best advice on the best way to move forward. Call right now to get the process started.

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