Murder Charges Related to DUI

These Watson murder cases under California Penal Code 187 come up when somebody is typically driving under the influence of alcohol, and they end up killing another person. They can also come up if you're using any marijuana and death occurs or any other type of drug and death occurs.

I've even seen them file what they call a Watson murder under Penal Code 187 when someone has not alcohol or drugs in their system but is driving so recklessly and dangerously that they kill someone. So, if you or a loved one has a murder case and it's based on that Watson case where:

  • you're using some alcohol, or
  • you're driving recklessly,
  • you've killed somebody,
  • your loved one didn't mean to kill anybody,
  • but now they're charged with murder.

They're facing 15 to life in prison; you've got to get an attorney who knows about these cases, who's handled them successfully, and knows what it takes to win.

Avoiding a California Murder Conviction

It's a win depending on the circumstances.  Are we going to trial?  Is it going to be a not guilty verdict, or do they have the evidence that your loved one was under the influence and killed another party and a win means we keep them out of prison?

Defending a Watson DUI Murder in the San Fernando Valley

We avoid that 15 to life.  We prevent that murder conviction.  That's what I'm talking about when I say a win. So, what we need to do right off the top, if you've got someone charged with a murder that's related to a Watson case, it's connected to a scenario where they were driving, and they killed another party, we've got to get you in immediately.

So, we can get me retained, and I'll start speaking to the police, speaking to the prosecutors — begin the process of attempting to find out what the circumstances are and what it's going to take to get the best result.

Developing a Defense Strategy

Then I will go and talk to your loved one and find out precisely what happened from their perspective, and that's when we will get our plan together on exactly how we're going to defend the case.

We're going to do what makes sense for you and your loved ones and what makes sense to protect them from a lengthy prison sentence.  We've got to start immediately putting the pieces in place to get the best result. When the prosecutors charge murder, and they justify the murder charge with the Watson case, which is saying there's a case on point that says:

  •  if you're going to drink or drive,  and
  • you're going to use any drugs and drive, or
  • you're going to drive very dangerously, and you kill another person,
  • we're going to go ahead and apply the malice for purposes of murder.

Watson Murder Scenario

Usually, for murder, you've got to be planning to kill somebody intentionally.  But in this Watson murder scenario, they're going to assume you were planning on killing somebody. This is because you know through common sense, social media, and if you have prior DUI convictions, you know how dangerous it is to drink and drive, and yet you've done it anyway, and now look, someone has died.  We're going to hold you responsible.

This is what the prosecution and authorities are saying.  They will put you in prison for 15 to life on this Watson murder theory. Well, guess what?  It's time to start defending the case because if we don't support the case, you or your loved one will end up in a horrible situation.

Criminal Defense for California Watson DUI Murder Charges

You need to start getting any defense information:

  • whether that be by way of an accident reconstruction expert, or
  • whether that be by character letters mitigating circumstances.

We need to look at the reason and cause of whatever accident occurred.  We need to see your blood alcohol level and how many drugs you had.

Criminal Defense for California Watson DUI Murder Charges

There's a whole slew of things that need to be evaluated before you or your loved one. If you're charged with murder in the San Fernando Valley related to a Watson killing, take the fall for that. Let your attorney look into everything and make the moves that will put you in the best possible position.

Pick up the phone now.  Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding.  I've handled these cases for almost 30 years with many great results. I know what it takes to win.  I know what it takes to be successful in protecting your driving record, criminal record, and freedom.

Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm located in Los Angeles County at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436.

We serve people in all Southern California courts, including LA County, Orange County, Ventura County, Hollywood, Riverside, and San Bernardino. Contact our office for a free case evaluation at (213) 542-0940.