Driving

Can You Be Convicted of Murder Even If You Were Not Driving at the Time of the Collision?

Can You Be Convicted of Murder Even If You Were Not Driving at the Time of the Collision? The answer is YES. A recent California Court of Appeal decision makes clear that you can be convicted of murder—even if you were not driving your vehicle at the exact moment a fatal crash occurred—if your actions while driving under the influence directly led to someone’s death. In People v. Nevarez, the…

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Driving

Charged with Watson Murder? Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

Charged with Watson Murder? Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney In California, prosecutors can file second-degree murder charges against drivers involved in fatal crashes — even if they never meant to hurt anyone. This type of case, known as a Watson murder, is based on the 1981 California Supreme Court decision in People v. Watson. Since that case, prosecutors have used the Watson rule to pursue murder charges…

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vehicular manslaughter

What Evidence is Used in Vehicular Homicide Cases? A Defense Attorney Explains

What Evidence is Used in Vehicular Homicide Cases? A Defense Attorney Explains Vehicular homicide cases are among the most complex criminal proceedings in our justice system, involving multiple types of evidence and requiring extensive legal expertise to defend against. As experienced criminal defense attorneys, we regularly see how prosecutors build these cases – and more importantly, how they can be effectively challenged. This article breaks down the key types of…

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