What factors influence the cost of hiring a criminal defense attorney for a California Penal Code 187 PC murder case in Los Angeles?
There's a tiny community in my experience of criminal defense attorneys that try murder cases. Because all of the stakes are on the line and somebody is typically facing a life sentence, there are a lot of attorneys who simply will not touch murder cases.
I've seen attorneys do the preliminary hearing in a murder case and then tell the client and their family that they can no longer remain on the case because they have never done a murder trial before.
Of course, then the question becomes, why did you take the case in the first place? Why would you do the preliminary hearing if you don't have the experience to do the trial?
It's crucial to ensure that the attorney you hire has a proven track record in handling murder cases. This advice comes from someone who has successfully tried murder cases for over 30 years. My second case in my career was a murder case that resulted in a not-guilty verdict.
Attorney's Experience
As far as factors that influence how much a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles will charge you for a murder case, I think there are a lot of them.
First and foremost, the attorney's experience. If the experience is that of a new attorney coming out and trying to cut their teeth, they might not charge much to do the murder case.
However, inexperienced attorneys can pose a significant risk. A new attorney might not charge much to handle a murder case, but this could end in disaster for the client, potentially leading to a conviction and a life behind bars. It's important to realize that the prosecutors in these cases are typically the best, making the need for an experienced attorney even more critical.
The investigative body will usually be robbery homicide with the sheriffs or top guys with the LAPD. So, you're going to have the best investigation. You're going to have the best prosecuting.
Length of Murder Trial
You better have the best attorney by your side. So, one factor will undoubtedly be the experience of the attorney. For me, I'm looking at time. That's another significant factor that influences the price that I charge:
- How long is it going to take to try the murder case?
- Is it going to be a week-long trial?
- Will it be a two-week, three-week, four-week, or even longer?
The more time you spend on the case, the more costly it will be for the defendant and his family because when you do the murder case, you're engulfed in it from when it starts to the end. If it's a trial, you'll usually be in the trial the whole day, every day, until it stops.
Preparation for the trial is also a significant factor in the cost of a murder case. Extensive preparation is required to be ready to cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and advocate for your client's theory. This level of preparation is necessary to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
Co-Defendants
Another significant factor for me is whether there are co-defendants. If I control a single defendant case, the case will typically proceed more smoothly, as I will be in command of everything and have a wealth of experience.
If, on the other hand, there are multiple other defense attorneys, that can usually be a disaster as far as time goes and make the case take twice, three times, four times, five times as long. So, that's another significant factor for me when I'm quoting a fee for a murder case.
Court Location and Judge
Also, the court location and the judge are other factors I consider. Some judges are very efficient and will handle the case the right way. Other judges are not as efficient and will not handle the case the right way, which will cause it to take a lot longer.
Court location is a factor. Los Angeles County is massive. LA county stretches from Long Beach to Lancaster and West Covina and into the Valley of Van Nuys. So, there are many courthouses in LA County, and I like to look at which court the case is pending in deciding what I will quote to do the case.
Type of Murder Case
Another significant factor is the type of murder case. Is it a DNA case or a fingerprint case? Is it an eye-witness case where the client says they weren't the person? Is it a self-defense case?
So, there's a whole bunch of factors, and of course, they are relevant to a particular case. So, I like to get as much information as possible before quoting the fee. So, if you're looking for the best, if you or a loved one is charged with murder and you're facing potentially the rest of your life in prison, set up a meeting with me.
I've worked for the district attorney's office and know how they prosecute these cases. I've worked for a superior court judge, so I have an idea of how judges, just in general, deal with a case and motions, and then since the early 1990s, I've been defending murder cases.
If you need the best, pick up the phone now and ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding. I am ready to help you. The Hedding Law Firm is based in Los Angeles, California.
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