The Penalties for Violating California's Murder Law
The penalties for violating Penal Code 187 PC California’s murder law vary quite a bit, depending on the exact circumstances of your case. They can range anywhere from fifteen years in the California state prison to death.
If you are convicted of first-degree murder, you face 25 years-to-life in prison. First-degree murder is any murder that (1) is premeditated, (2) involves torture, “lying in wait” or explosive devices, or (3) occurs during the commission of specifically enumerated violent felonies.
If you are convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances…commonly referred to as capital murder…you face life in prison without the possibility of parole or execution. Capital murder is essentially aggravated first-degree murder. Examples of capital murder include murdering another person for money, murdering more than one victim, or murdering someone based on their sex, religion, race, etc.
Finally, if you are convicted of second-degree murder…that is, any murder that is not first-degree murder or reduced to manslaughter…you face fifteen years-to-life in prison. And if you were previously convicted of murder, specifically intended to kill a police officer, committed murder while engaged in a “drive by shooting”, or are guilty of second-degree murder under a variety of other circumstances, you could increase your sentence by an additional five or ten years or perhaps even face a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
If you or a loved one is charged with Penal Code 187 PC California’s murder law, immediately speak to a skilled California criminal defense attorney who can try to reduce the charge or mitigate the punishment.
