Are you facing voluntary manslaughter charges in Los Angeles?

Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 192(a) Voluntary Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice, and as the result fo a sudden quarrel or during the heat of passion.

Voluntary manslaughter is most often charge as a lesser included offense to murder. It is very rare that voluntary manslaughter is charged on its own, and it is always a felony offense.

If you are facing murder or voluntary manslaughter charges in Los Angeles, or the surrounding counties, contact experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Miles Booth at 424 272 1134.

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Miles Booth

How does the prosecution prove that I am guilty of voluntary manslaughter?

Pursuant to CALCRIM 570 a killing that would otherwise be murder, but is committed in the heat of passion or due to a sudden quarrel is considered voluntary manslaughter.

To be convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter under Penal Code Section 192(a) the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you;

• Intentionally killed another person,
• Without a legal excuse, or
• Acted with a conscious disregard for human life; AND
• The killing was the consequence of a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion.

Heat of Passion or Sudden Quarrel

You will have been deemed to have acted in the heat of passion or as a result of a sudden quarrel if;

• You were provoked;
• The provocation led to intense emotion which made you act rashly and altered your Judgement and reasoning; AND
• The provocation would have led an average person to act rashly and from passion rather than judgment.

Heat of passion doesn’t require any specific emotion, and can be any violent or intense emotion that causes a person to act without reflection and deliberation. You must be provided by the victim, and the provocation must of the type that a reasonable objective person would act rashly.

How can I defend myself against involuntary manslaughter charges?

Being charged with murder is very scary, and a conviction can change your life forever. A skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will be your greatest asset in fighting these charges, and protecting your liberty. Although these charges are serious, there are defenses that may substantially mitigate the damage. Some of the most common legal defenses to an attempted murder charge are;

• Insanity
• You were falsely accused
• A plea reduction from murder
• That the killing was accidental, and you were not acting negligently
• That you acted in self defense, or imperfect self defense

Imperfect Self Defense

A murder charge under penal code section 187 will be reduced to Voluntary manslaughter if the defendant believes that he/she is in imminent danger of being seriously injured or killed and believed that deadly force was necessary to defend against the danger, but was unreasonable in one of these beliefs.

What are the Penalties for a voluntary manslaughter conviction?

A conviction for voluntary manslaughter is punishable by;

• 3, 6, or 11 years in California state prison, and
• A fine of up to $10,000 fine
• Felony probation

Additional Penalties

There are a variety of penalties in addition to the ones listed above, some of which include;

• Victim restitution
• Additional penalties if the crime was committed for the benefit of a gang
• A strike on your record

Contact Los Angeles Criminal defense attorney miles booth

Facing murder or voluntary manslaughter charges is extremely serious, and your entire future is in jeopardy. Charges alone can have far-reaching consequences.A conviction may in substantial prison time. Your housing, future job prospects, and most importantly, immediate freedom are in jeopardy.It is foolish to fight these cases alone. It is important to have a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer by your side.

As a former prosecutor, Miles Booth understands the complexities of these cases and the blueprints for beating, or substantially mitigating the charges. He has handled thousands of cases throughout Los Angeles County and will aggressively defend you to get the best outcome possible.

To learn more about your options going forward, contact Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, Miles Booth, for a free consultation at 424 272 1134.