Orange County Murder & Manslaughter Defense Attorneys

Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyers

Murder and manslaughter are two of the most serious criminal offenses you can be accused of in California. If you are charged with murder, your life may be at stake. You will need an aggressive, experienced criminal defense attorney to fight for your life and your freedom.

Contact an Orange County criminal defense lawyer at Coffey & Coffey – we will give you a free case evaluation wherein we will discuss the particulars of your charges and see how we can help. At Coffey & Coffey, our practice is devoted entirely to criminal law and defending those who have been accused of, arrested for or who are under investigation for a criminal offense in Orange County or the surrounding areas. We help clients throughout Fullerton, Santa Ana, Westminster, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach and the surrounding cities.

Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter Defense in Orange County, California

At Coffey & Coffey, a manslaughter defense lawyer can provide you with the legal representation you need in order to avoid a conviction. Your lawyer will utilize all of our resources and our knowledge of California criminal law and case law in order to build a strong defense on your behalf.

Manslaughter is a lesser charge than murder and involves the killing of another human being either unintentionally or without any premeditation or planning. This may be categorized and charged as either voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.

• Voluntary manslaughter is intentional and typically involves the killing of another person in the “heat of passion” or because provoked by the victim. In California, this is punishable by 3, 6 or 11 years in state prison.
• Involuntary manslaughter is the accidental or criminally negligent killing of another. This includes such crimes as DUI manslaughter or vehicular manslaughter. This act is punishable by 2, 3 or 4 years in prison.

1st Degree and 2nd Degree Murder Defense in Orange County

If you have been accused of or charged with murder, an attorney at Coffey & Coffey can help. We understand what it takes to defend a murder charge and we will fight to the end to protect your rights, your freedom and your life.

Murder is defined as the intentional and unlawful killing of another human being. This is classified as first degree or second degree murder.

• First degree murder is homicide committed with malice and premeditation (planning). The “felony murder rule” applies here as well, meaning that the killing of another person during the commission of a felony, even when the death is entirely accidental, can be charged as 1st degree murder. This is the most severe form of homicide charge a person can face in California, and a person convicted of first degree murder may receive the death penalty, life in prison without the possibility of parole or 25 years to life in prison.
• Second degree murder is homicide committed with malice, but premeditation does not necessarily need to be proven. This is punishable by 15 years to life in state prison in California.

Contact an Orange County criminal defense attorney at Coffey & Coffey today!