How Can An Orange County Watson Murder Attorney Help Me Win My Case? – PC 190

In California, Watson Murder is a serious felony, punishable as second degree-murder. If you or a loved one has been charged with Watson Murder, you need to speak with a competent criminal defense lawyer. These are serious allegations and you need to be aware of your legal rights. The punishment for Watson Murder is found under California Penal Code section 190. If convicted of Watson Murder, you could face up…

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If I Was Convicted Of A DUI In California In 1980 – Prior To The Ruling Of People vs Watson – And I Happen To Kill Someone While Driving Under The Influence Of Meth, Can I Still Be Prosecuted For 2nd Degree Murder?

The answer is yes. In fact, you can be charged with 2nd degree murder even if you have never been convicted of a DUI.  For 2nd degree murder prosecutions in DUI cases in California the prosecution will typically rely on a theory that the defendant acted with implied malice.  That is, the defendant knew that driving under the influence was dangerous to human life and they disregarded that knowledge and…

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After I was arrested for a DUI recently a friend told me I should be aware of “Watson Murders”. What exactly does that term mean?

The term "Watson Murder" comes from a 1981 California case, People v. Watson. Simply stated, the rule of law is that in order to convict someone of murder there must be "Malice". When it comes to DUI cases, where a death results, prosecutors can file second degree murder charges under a theory of “implied malice”, based on the circumstances of the individual case. For example, if the defendant in a…

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