Redwood City Homicide Lawyer

Are you facing homicide charges in Redwood City, California? Homicide is one of the most serious criminal offenses you can be convicted of and carries severe penalties, whether you’re charged with murder or manslaughter. It’s essential to get an experienced criminal defense team on your side as soon as possible to start fighting these accusations. 

The Redwood City homicide lawyers at Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law are here to advocate for you. We’re a reputable criminal defense law firm with over 30 years of combined experience helping the accused get their criminal charges reduced or dismissed. We’ve won over 3,000 criminal cases and successfully defended over 50 trials. 

We know how to evaluate a criminal case and seek the best possible outcome for our clients. Contact our law office online or call us at (650) 299-0500 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Redwood City, CA. 

How Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law Can Help If You’re Facing Homicide Charges in Redwood City, CA 

Taking another person’s life is a violent crime that can affect your life forever if you’re convicted. You may face decades or life in prison, depending on the facts of your case. With everything at stake, you need legal representation that will fiercely protect your rights throughout the process. 

Our Redwood City criminal defense lawyers will do everything we can to minimize the impact of these allegations. We have the knowledge and experience under our belts to defend you and guide you to the best resolution in your case. 

If you hire Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law to help you with your homicide case, we’ll: 

• Thoroughly review the prosecution’s evidence against you and conduct an independent investigation into your homicide case 
• Meet with you to listen to your version of what happened as we work to gather exculpatory evidence 
• Build a solid defense tailored to the facts of your case 
• Negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf to work towards a favorable plea deal or dismissal of charges
• Keep you updated and informed throughout the legal process and ensure you understand the implications of any decisions you make
• Argue your case before a San Mateo County jury if we think it’s in your best interest

Contact our Redwood City criminal defense attorneys for the assistance you need to fight these charges. Your freedom and reputation are at stake, so the sooner we get started, the better our chance of effectively defending your rights. We offer a free initial consultation, so there’s no risk in asking for our help today.

Overview of Homicide Laws in California

Homicide is when someone causes another person’s death. 

Many different crimes may fall under homicide in California, including: 

• First-degree murder
• Second-degree murder 
• Capital murder 
• Voluntary manslaughter 
• Involuntary manslaughter 
• Vehicular manslaughter 

Most of these criminal offenses are felonies, except vehicular manslaughter under certain circumstances. We discuss each of these crimes in further detail below. 

Murder in California

California Penal Code Section 187 describes murder as the unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought. “Malice aforethought” is the intent or mental state of the defendant when committing the crime. It can be express or implied under California law. 

Express malice is when the defendant deliberately intends to unlawfully take a person’s life. Implied malice is when the defendant acted with no considerable provocation or with a malignant heart. 

The following is considered murder in the first degree: 

• Murder committed using an explosive, weapon of mass destruction, or similar device 
• Murder committed by ammunition that penetrates metal or armor 
• Murder committed using poison 
• Murder committed by lying in wait 
• Murder committed by inflicting torture 
• Any murder committed willfully, deliberately, or with premeditation 
• Murder committed while perpetrating (or attempting) arson, burglary, carjacking, robbery, rape, mayhem, train wrecking, kidnapping, or other listed felonies (felony murder) 
• Murder committed when discharging a firearm intentionally at another person from a vehicle with the intent to kill 

Capital murder is first-degree murder committed under special circumstances, such as murder for financial gain, murder committed during a hate crime, or murder against certain officials (e.g., judges, jurors, and government officials) to prevent them from performing their duties.  

All other murders are considered to be second-degree murder, which is a lesser offense. 

Manslaughter in California

California Penal Code Section 192 defines manslaughter as the unlawful killing of another person without malice. In other words, it’s murder without the same intent or mental state. 

There are different types of manslaughter crimes: 

• Voluntary manslaughter – killing in the heat of passion or during a sudden provocation
• Involuntary manslaughter – killing during the commission of an unlawful act (not amounting to a felony); or killing during a lawful act that might cause death while acting without due caution
• Vehicular manslaughter – killing someone while driving a vehicle with gross negligence or in an unlawful manner 

Voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter are felonies. Vehicular manslaughter is a wobbler that may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the defendant’s intent. 

What Are the Potential Penalties for a Homicide Conviction in California? 

The penalties will depend on the specific homicide charge and the circumstances of the case, as demonstrated below: 

• Involuntary manslaughter: two to four years in prison
• Voluntary manslaughter: three, six, or eleven years in prison
• Vehicular manslaughter: depends on the defendant’s intent and the charge; may be punishable by one year in county jail or imprisonment for up to ten years 
• Second-degree murder: 15 years to life in prison
• First-degree murder: 25 years to life in prison, life imprisonment, or the death penalty
• Capital murder: Life in prison without the possibility of parole or death

Some of these punishments may be accompanied by hefty fines. Additionally, the sentence may be enhanced if there are aggravating factors, such as if the victim of second-degree murder was a peace officer who was killed in the line of duty. 

Your past criminal history could also enhance your sentence. For example, if you’ve been previously convicted of murder, you may face capital murder charges.

Collateral Consequences of a Homicide Conviction in California

In addition to prison time and fines, a homicide conviction on your criminal record can have various other collateral consequences, including: 

• Trouble obtaining employment 
• Child custody and visitation issues 
• Problems securing housing and/or loans 
• The loss of your professional license or certification
• A damaged reputation 
• The loss of your right to own a firearm 
• Immigration issues, if applicable  

These consequences can be just as substantial as serving jail time. That’s why it’s pivotal to seek help from an experienced homicide lawyer in Redwood City. We’ll fight to minimize the impact of your murder or manslaughter charge.

What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’ve Been Accused of Homicide in California? 

The defenses available in your homicide case will depend on the circumstances and your mental state when committing the alleged crime. 

Some possible defenses that may apply include: 

• You committed death by accident (no unlawful intent) 
• You caused the death while acting lawfully and using ordinary caution (no unlawful intent) 
• You accidentally caused death when acting in the heat of passion upon sudden provocation, did not use a weapon, and the killing wasn’t cruel or unusual 
• You were lawfully defending yourself or another person 
• Prosecutorial or police officer misconduct, such as violating your constitutional rights 
• Lack of evidence proving the prosecutor’s case beyond a reasonable doubt 
• Mistaken identity 
• Tainted evidence 
• Affirmative defenses, such as insanity 

We’ll listen to your story and review the prosecution’s evidence against you to build a strong case on your behalf. Call our criminal attorneys in Redwood City to get started, and let us put our years of experience to work for you. 

Contact Our Redwood City Homicide Lawyers for a Free and Confidential Consultation 

Have you been charged or arrested for homicide in Redwood City, CA? Don’t attempt to fight this legal battle alone. Remain silent and be polite with law enforcement, but don’t talk to anyone without an attorney. Reach out to Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer regarding the accusations against you. 

Our team has over three decades of combined legal experience in criminal law. Let us put that experience to work for you. Call our Redwood City homicide attorneys today to schedule a free case evaluation and get the legal advice you deserve.