Murder is a violent crime and one that is among the worst that a person can commit. When you are accused of such a serious act, you have to take your case seriously and do all you can to minimize the risk to your life and liberties.
You could be accused of murder falsely just because you look like someone who committed the crime. You could be accused because you were with someone who committed the crime. You could also be accused of intentionally causing a death when you truly had no intention to do so at all.
Whatever the situation is, you need to take steps to protect yourself as soon as you can.
When you’re charged for murder, you may go to trial
If you are charged for murder, there is a chance that your case could go to trial. Your defense attorney will be working on your case and focusing on settling outside court. They will look for ways to get the charges dropped or minimized.
The goal in any case like this is to reduce the likelihood of serious penalties, so you can continue living your life with the freedoms you currently enjoy. If you are innocent, your attorney will help you build a case to show that you were not the person who committed a crime or, if a death did happen, that you did not intend for one to.
Capital punishment is suspended in California
While capital punishment is the most severe sentence that can be issued in a murder trial, it is currently suspended. That means that even if you are sentenced to death, the likelihood is that you would spend life in prison without any possibility of parole.
Contrary to popular belief, death or life in prison aren’t the only two options. Some people convicted of murder serve as little as 25 years in prison, though the sentences vary based on the circumstances of a case.
You deserve to know your rights and have someone fighting on your side. The penalties for murder are extreme, but there are methods that can be used to help protect you.
