Los Angeles Manslaughter Lawyer

Los Angeles Manslaughter Attorney

What Is The Difference Between Manslaughter And Murder?

Manslaughter, while a lesser crime than murder, is still an extremely serious criminal charge to face. Manslaughter is the criminal offense of causing the unlawful death of another, when unplanned or unintentional. In some cases, manslaughter may be entirely accidental, as in the case of vehicular manslaughter. Manslaughter may be further qualified into voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.

A defense attorney at Okabe & Haushalter can help you if you have been arrested for manslaughter in or around Los Angeles or the South Bay area in California. Our attorneys are experienced in criminal law and understand what it takes to defend clients who are facing these criminal charges. In addition to proving factual innocence, there are a number of actions that a skilled defense lawyer can take to protect your rights and to make the legal system work in your favor. For example, an unlawful arrest or unreasonable search and seizure may be grounds for evidence to be suppressed or for a confession to be thrown out. By exploring every option and utilizing our extensive resources in this field, our defense lawyers will do whatever it takes to positively affect your case.

About Manslaughter Penalties

Manslaughter is a felony offense. Following are general penalties which may be enforced for this offense (specific sentencing may vary depending upon the jurisdiction and the case itself):

• Involuntary Manslaughter may be punishable by 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison.
• Voluntary Manslaughter may be punished by 3, 6, or 11 years in prison.

Additional penalties may include fines, probation, community service, and more.

How to Prepare for a Consultation With a Los Angeles Manslaughter Attorney

Before you meet with a Los Angeles manslaughter attorney, there are some key pieces of information that can help get the consultation process off to a successful start. To prepare for the meeting, consider doing the following:

• Familiarize Yourself With Legal Terminology: Being able to understand and comprehend legal terminology is key when preparing for a consultation with a criminal defense lawyer. Doing research on common terms used in court proceedings and cases related to your own situation can better equip you to discuss your case with confidence.
• Put Together Necessary Documents: Any documents or evidence pertaining to your case should be brought along to the meeting. This includes any arrest or police reports, witness statements, medical records, photographs, emails, chat transcripts, or any other evidence that could be used in your defense.
• Identify Witnesses: If you have witnesses who can provide information related to the case, make sure to identify them ahead of time and let your attorney know so they can be contacted if necessary.
• Write Down Your Questions: Compile a list of questions prior to the consultation so that all relevant issues are discussed during the meeting. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on anything you don’t understand or if more information is needed about a topic.
• Organize Your Thoughts: Writing down your thoughts before the meeting will help you remember what was discussed and allow you to go over any points that may have been missed after it is over.

Taking the time to do these five things will not only help ensure an effective consultation, but it can also make the process less stressful and overwhelming. With a bit of preparation and knowledge, you can feel confident when meeting with your Los Angeles manslaughter attorney.

Potential Defenses in a Los Angeles Manslaughter Case

Every manslaughter case is somewhat unique. At Okabe & Haushalter, our goal is to tailor our defense strategy to your specific circumstances.
That said, common defenses a Los Angeles manslaughter attorney may employ include:

• Self-defense: In this type of defense, the accused must prove that he or she believed it was necessary to use deadly force in order to prevent death or serious bodily harm to him or herself.
• Defense Of Others: A defendant may argue that they acted due to an honest and reasonable belief that another person was in imminent danger of being killed or seriously hurt by the victim.
• Accident: The defendant could claim that the death occurred as a result of an accident, rather than because of any intentional actions on their part.
• Mental State: Insanity is a possible defense if it can be proven that the defendant lacked criminal intent because of mental illness at the time of the offense.

Again, each case is different and will require its own set of legal strategies and defenses. An experienced Los Angeles manslaughter attorney from Okabe & Haushalter can help evaluate your individual situation and determine the best course of action for you.

Defense Attorney For Los Angeles Manslaughter Charges

You cannot afford to take a chance with the next several years of your life by working with an attorney who provides anything less than stellar legal representation. At our firm, you can contact our firm for a consultation with an attorney in order to determine whether we are the right fit for you. With our experience and knowledge in the field combined with our dedication to our clients, we are certain that you will not regret your choice.

We have the extensive experience that you truly deserve when facing criminal charges of this severity. A prime example of our national reputation lies in the fact that Attorney Mark Haushalter, one of our legal partners, has been recognized as a legal commentator on the Casey Anthony case for CNN. With our extensive experience and vast knowledge regarding criminal law, backed by our reputation and track record of success, you can trust that should you choose to work with us that you will have an experienced advocate on your side to help protect your best interests. To learn more, call our legal team as soon as possible.