A homicide charge can turn your entire world upside down in a single moment, and the fear that follows is overwhelming. You may be worried about prison, about your family, and about whether anyone will truly fight for you. If you or someone you love is facing a murder or manslaughter accusation, our Orange County homicide lawyer at Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers is ready to stand in your corner right now.
We defend people throughout Orange County against the most serious charges California can bring, and we protect your rights from the first phone call forward. You do not have to face the police, the prosecutors, or the courtroom alone. Call us today at (714) 362-0157 for a free and confidential case evaluation.
If you or someone you love is under investigation for a killing, call our Orange County homicide lawyer at (714) 362-0157. A homicide charge is the most serious accusation California can bring against you, and what you do in the first hours can shape everything that follows. At Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers, we defend people in Orange County who are facing murder and manslaughter charges, and we start protecting your rights the moment you call.
We know the fear that comes with this, and you may be worried about prison, about your family, and about whether anyone will fight for your side of the story. Our team steps in immediately, so you never have to face investigators, prosecutors, or a courtroom alone. We are available 24 hours a day, and your first case evaluation is free and confidential.
Homicide is the killing of one person by another. Not every homicide is a crime, and not every charge fits the facts. California law separates these cases into different offenses, and the difference between them can mean decades of your life.
Under California Penal Code Section 187, murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. Malice means you either intended to kill or acted with a conscious disregard for human life. Prosecutors must prove that mental state, and it is often where a case is won or lost.
Penal Code Section 189 divides murder into first and second degree. First-degree murder covers willful, deliberate, and premeditated killings, as well as killings by poison, lying in wait, or torture. It also includes deaths that occur during serious felonies such as robbery, burglary, arson, kidnapping, or rape.
Second-degree murder covers all other unlawful killings committed with malice. The felony murder rule also narrowed after Senate Bill 1437. A person can now be convicted of felony murder only if they:
Manslaughter is an unlawful killing without malice. Penal Code Section 192 describes three types:
We also defend clients against related charges, including attempted murder and capital murder cases that carry special circumstances. Each charge demands a different strategy, and we build yours around the facts that actually apply to you.
The penalties for a homicide conviction in California are severe, and they climb quickly with the degree of the charge. Understanding what you are facing is the starting point for a strong defense.
Penalties vary significantly based on the specific classification of the charge:
California still retains the death penalty in its statutes, though the state has not executed since 2006. Governor Newsom ordered a moratorium on executions in 2019, and the state has since dismantled its death row facilities. However, prosecutors can still seek a death sentence, meaning capital exposure remains a real factor in how these cases are charged and negotiated.
Because the stakes are this high, the quality of your defense is not a detail. It is the difference between the severe outcomes above and a result that protects your future.
The prison sentence is only part of what a homicide conviction takes from you. The lasting consequences follow you long after a case ends, and they reach into nearly every part of your life:
These are the reasons we fight every charge from the first day, because protecting your record protects your future.
An arrest is not a conviction. A homicide charge can be challenged, reduced, or dismissed, and a serious defense often uncovers facts the prosecution ignored. Our job is to test every piece of the state's case and build the strongest possible defense around your circumstances.
Common defenses in homicide cases include:
Our team investigates independently rather than accepting the police version of events. We examine forensic reports, interview witnesses, consult experts, and look for the constitutional problems that can suppress evidence. Every fact we develop is aimed at one goal: protecting your freedom.
Frances Prizzia brings more than 21 years of criminal defense experience to this work, along with a background as a trial attorney who has won more jury trials than any other attorney in her former public defender unit. That trial record matters when the prosecution knows your defense is ready to go the distance.
What is the difference between murder and manslaughter in California?
The key difference is malice. Murder requires malice aforethought, meaning an intent to kill or a conscious disregard for life, while manslaughter is an unlawful killing without that malice. Because manslaughter carries far lower penalties, reducing a murder charge to manslaughter is often a central defense goal.
What is the difference between first- and second-degree murder?
First-degree murder involves a willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing, or a death caused by specific means or during certain felonies. Second-degree murder is an intentional killing that was not premeditated. The distinction changes the sentence dramatically, from 25 years to life for first degree down to 15 years to life for second degree.
Is there a statute of limitations on homicide charges in California?
No. Under Penal Code Section 799, any offense punishable by death or life imprisonment can be prosecuted at any time, so murder has no statute of limitations. Charges can be filed years or even decades after a death, so if you learn you are under investigation for an old case, you need a defense lawyer right away.
Could I face the death penalty for a homicide charge in California?
It is possible in cases with special circumstances, though the reality is more limited. California still allows the death penalty by law, but a moratorium has halted executions and the state has dismantled its death row. Prosecutors can still seek a death sentence or life without parole, so capital exposure remains a serious consideration in how we defend these cases.
Should I talk to police if I am being investigated for a homicide?
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, and you should use both, because investigators are trained to gather statements they can use against you. Politely decline to answer questions and call us before you say anything.
Why should I hire a homicide defense lawyer instead of representing myself?
The consequences are simply too great to face alone, and homicide cases involve complex forensic evidence, difficult legal rules, and prosecutors devoted to securing a conviction. A dedicated defense attorney protects your constitutional rights, challenges the evidence, and negotiates from a position of strength. Your freedom and your future depend on having an experienced advocate in your corner.
You do not have to face this alone, and you should not wait to get help. Frances Prizzia Criminal Defense Lawyers defends people across Orange County against murder, manslaughter, and other homicide charges, and we are ready to stand between you and the full weight of the state. From our Newport Beach and Tustin offices, our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and start protecting your rights.
Call our Orange County homicide lawyer today at (714) 362-0157 for a free and confidential case evaluation. The sooner we begin, the more we can do to protect your freedom and your future.
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