Los Angeles Murder & Homicide Defense Lawyers

If you are under investigation or have been charged with the death of another person, retaining a skilled and experienced homicide defense lawyer should be your top priority. The combination of legal and media challenges that come with murder cases requires a knowledgeable, well-equipped defense team to protect your rights.

Based in Bellflower and serving the greater Los Angeles area, the attorneys at Stein & Markus have more than 75 years of combined experience in California’s legal system. One of the firm’s co-founders, Joseph A. Markus, is a former deputy District Attorney who prosecuted more than 70 murder cases during his career. That kind of experience is invaluable to you as a defendant because it helps us understand the tactics prosecutors use and what we can do to build strong defenses.

We believe in devoting all our energy and attention to you, our client. When you’ve been accused of the most serious accusation under the law, you deserve nothing less than a full, vigorous, and powerful defense.

Request a free case evaluation with a Bellflower murder and homicide defense attorney at Stein & Markus. We can be reached online or at (562) 512-7030. Hablamos español.

Types of Homicide Charges in California

California has several “levels” of murder, each varying in the severity of the possible sentence. It is crucial to understand where your case may fall on the spectrum of severity. It is equally crucial to find a qualified criminal defense attorney who can properly represent your case. There are three main types of charges in California—first-degree, second-degree, and capital murder.

We are equipped to defend clients charged with any degree of homicide in our state:

Capital murder/murder with special circumstances: Capital murder is one of the most serious charges an individual can face. If charged with capital murder, which is murder with “special circumstances,” you can face up to the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

Essentially this is first-degree murder coupled with a circumstance that makes the offense worthy of the above penalties. Approximately 20 circumstances exist in the state of California where you could fall into this category. Some of the more common circumstances include the killing of more than one victim, the killing of a witness set to testify against the defendant, killing in a drive-by shooting, murder for financial gain, the murder of a public servant, murder in a hate crime, and several other scenarios. 

First-degree murder: Under California Penal Code 187(a), first-degree murder is defined as 1) deliberate, premeditated killing of another person, 2) lying in wait to torture and kill, or kill someone with poison, explosive weapons, ammunition, or a destructive device, and 3) felony murder. First-degree murder carries a sentence of 25 years to life.

Felony murder: This crime is charged when a person dies during the commission of a dangerous felony, such as robbery or rape. In late 2018, the laws around felony murder were altered by the signing of new legislation, California SB 1437, which changes who can be prosecuted for these crimes.  

Second-degree murder: Most murders that are not premeditated fall into the second-degree murder category. While unpremeditated, this act still requires the concept of malice and that it was intentional. This is commonly seen in instances where a bar fight may have gotten out of hand or what can be considered a crime of passion committed in the heat of the moment. This charge often carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

“Watson” murder: This may be charged when an offender with prior DUI convictions kills someone while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

SB 1437 Petitions: California SB 1437, limits who can be prosecuted for murder, felony murder, and attempted murder. Our team has been successful in obtaining the release of individuals from custody in such cases. 

SB 775: This law allows individuals convicted of murder to apply for resentencing or for sentences to be vacated under certain conditions. We can help you apply this law effectively where applicable.