In most cases, it is illegal to use unjustified force against others, but one of the strongest criminal defenses to these charges is arguing that you were acting in self-defense. California is known as a “stand your ground” state, which means you have the right to use force to defend yourself or another person without […]
The Story of Alec Baldwin’s Rust Trial
It was a true tragedy when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Alec Baldwin’s Western film Rust. Whether or not it was a crime was not as immediately apparent. To determine if it was a crime, the incident was investigated by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, New Mexico’s First Judicial District […]
Is Suicide Illegal In California?
Suicide isn’t an easy discussion topic for most people, but it’s also subject to several myths when it comes to the law. For example, many people think it is a crime to kill yourself in California and that you can be charged with attempted suicide if your attempt fails. In actuality, suicide (and attempted suicide) […]
The Felony Murder Rule of California: 189 (PC)
Under California law, violent offenders can be charged with murder if they kill someone while committing a felony. This section of the law is known as the felony murder rule and is detailed under California Penal Code 189 (PC). At one point, even accidental deaths that occurred during the commission of a felony could result […]
What Happens if a Conjoined Twin Commits a Crime?
English jurist William Blackstone famously stated, “It is better than ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.” That line of thinking is what makes it so fascinating to contemplate what penalties would be fair if one conjoined twin breaks the law. After all, punishing the guilty twin would invariably mean punishing the innocent […]
Can You be Charged With Attempted Murder if the “Victim” was Already Dead?
Murder is the taking of another person’s life, so naturally, attempted murder is the attempt to take someone’s life. So would it be murder if someone attempts to take the life of someone who it turns out has already died? It’s an interesting legal question that has appeared not only in law schools and detective […]
Attempted Murder Charges Can be Difficult to Prosecute in California
Attempted murder charges are very serious, but you can defend yourself as long as there is not enough proof that you were actually attempting to kill the victim.
San Diego Murder Defense Lawyer Peter M. Liss
Homicide accusations are one of the handful of charges that can potentially carry the death penalty in California. These serious charges demand the knowledge and skill of an experienced San Diego murder defense attorney like Peter M. Liss. If you have been accused or believe you are suspected of taking someone else’s life, please contact my […]
All About Manslaughter Under California Penal Code Section 192 (PC)
In most people’s minds, the distinction between manslaughter and murder charges is whether or not the killing was intentional or not. But in the legal system, things aren’t so simple as that. In fact, while involuntary manslaughter is usually a result of an accidental death that was caused by recklessness or criminally negligent behavior, voluntary […]
Vista, California Elder Abuse Laws: Penal Code 368 (PC)
When people imagine elder abuse, they typically imagine dark, shabby nursing homes staffed by people who are inexperienced and underpaid and filled with residents who have been shuttered away by cheap, greedy relatives who don’t want to spend money on quality care. But elder abuse and neglect can happen in the nicest facilities and even […]
