Legally Reviewed By

Justin E. Sterling

Criminal Defense Attorney

An award-winning trial lawyer specializing in criminal defense and civil rights, Mr. Sterling has dedicated his career to representing the accused as well as those who have been mistreated by law enforcement.

View Justin's Bio

When you’re accused of killing someone, you may feel backed into a corner. Police and prosecutors may treat you like you’re guilty when, in reality, you should be presumed innocent. There are many potential defenses to murder charges. With a trusted Encino homicide lawyer on your side, you can fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we have been providing aggressive criminal defense representation to Encino residents for more than two decades. We have extensive experience handling complex cases in both state and federal court. Our firm has the resources to investigate your case, craft a strong defense, and fight for you all the way to verdict if necessary.

Do not wait to get the legal advice you need. Contact the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling for a free and confidential consultation with a seasoned Encino homicide lawyer.

Call us today for help

(818) 995-9452

Get A Free Case Review

“Battle-tested and respected, Justin has taken on police departments, government corruption, and California's prison system and WON.”
-Attorney at Law Magazine

Why Choose the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling?

Our respected Encino defense law firm is poised to take action immediately on complex criminal cases.

We provide:

Over two decades of criminal trial experience, with more than 100 cases tried to verdict
An in-house team of private investigators who are former senior law enforcement professionals
Longstanding working relationships with prosecutors, district attorneys, and law enforcement agencies throughout the Los Angeles area
An intentionally limited caseload to allow for personalized representation on complex homicide cases

There are many moves our defense team can make immediately after an arrest to begin crafting a case for you. Contact us immediately to learn how we can help.

What to Expect If You’ve Been Arrested on Murder Charges

Homicide cases are a marathon, not a sprint. After your arrest, it is important that you understand what to expect as your case unfolds. Your defense attorney can explain what happens at each stage of the process and how you can prepare.

Arraignment

After your arrest, your first official court appearance is called arraignment. A few preliminary matters are completed at arraignment. You are informed of your rights and the charges against you. You are also given the opportunity to enter a plea, whether not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere (no contest). Finally, the judge will set the terms of your bail.

Pre-trial proceedings

Many consequential decisions are made during pre-trial proceedings. Legal strategy really comes into effect at this stage. Both sides will be able to review the evidence during the discovery process. Your attorney may also file motions to have certain evidence thrown out. As the trajectory of the case takes shape, your attorney may push for the charges against you to be reduced or dropped altogether. If a plea deal seems like your best option, your attorney will help you negotiate for the best possible terms.

Trial

If your case goes to trial, your attorney and the prosecution will both present oral arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses to testify. At the conclusion, the court will hand down a verdict.

Call us today for help

(818) 995-9452

Get A Free Case Review

Penalties for a Homicide Conviction

Homicides vary by the nature of the crime and the defendant’s state of mind. Accordingly, each type of homicide has its own charge and corresponding sentence.

First-degree murder: 25 years to life in prison.
Second-degree murder: 15 years to life in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Capital murder: Life without parole or the death penalty.
Voluntary manslaughter: Up to 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Involuntary manslaughter: 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Vehicular manslaughter: This may be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the nature of the crime and the defendant’s criminal record. A misdemeanor conviction may result in a 1-year maximum prison sentence. A felony conviction is penalized by up to 6 years in prison.

Our Clients Say It Best

Justin is an excellent trial lawyer who cares deeply for his clients.

- Superior Court Commissioner

Justin has unwavering commitment in what he does.

- R.E., Attorney at Law

Mr. Sterling is a compassionate attorney and person. He goes the extra mile for his clients. He has done so for me on more than one occasion.

- P.S., Former Client

It’s no coincidence that year in and year out Mr. Sterling is recognized by his clients, peers, and third party rankings as one of the best in his field.

- J.P., Attorney at Law

When Justin wins he WINS BIG. It is this truth that enables him to achieve impossible results quickly and quietly for his clients.

- H.L., Superior Court Judge (Retired)

Justin knows defense work inside and out and from every perspective. The courtroom is his home and trial is where he is most comfortable.

- C.K.R., Prosecutor

Read All Testimonials

Common Defenses in Homicide Cases

At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, our defense team will identify all the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and craft a tailored defense based on the circumstances of your case.

Some of the common defenses to homicide include:

Self-defense: If the defendant can show they had a reasonable fear of death or bodily harm, and their use of force was reasonable given the circumstances, they can claim self-defense.
Defense of others: Defendants not only have the claim of self-defense available to them. They can also argue their actions were necessary to defend others.
Accident: In some cases, defense attorneys may argue the death was accidental. The defendant may have lacked the intent required for certain homicide charges.
Insanity: If the defendant was in an irregular state of mind and unable to appreciate the consequences of their actions and why they were morally wrong, they could claim insanity.

An experienced homicide defense attorney will explore every opportunity to argue for the charges against you to be reduced or dropped. If a plea deal is in your best interests, your defense attorney will negotiate for the minimum potential penalties.

Contact Justin Now

What the Prosecution Must Prove in a 187 PC Homicide Case

Section 187 of the California Penal Code defines the crime of murder. For the defendant to be convicted, the prosecution must demonstrate each element of the crime with evidence. The law defines more than one kind of murder, but they all share the same three core elements:

The defendant committed an act that caused the death of another person.
The defendant acted with malice.
The defendant killed without a justification.

There are three kinds of murder charged under 187 PC: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and Watson murder.

First-degree murder

When someone commits first-degree murder, they intentionally kill the victim. The killing is deliberate, premeditated, and executed with “express malice.”

A conviction for first-degree murder can result in a prison sentence of 25 years to life, life without parole, or capital punishment.

Second-degree murder

The nature of malice differentiates second-degree murder from first-degree murder. Second-degree murder does not require “express malice.” Rather, it only requires “implied malice.”

Implied malice does not require deliberation or pre-meditation. In fact, the defendant is not required to have the specific intention of killing the victim. An act is done with implied malice if it demonstrates a disregard for human life. In other words, the offender understands that an act could kill someone, but they proceed to do it anyway.

The penalties for second-degree murder in California include up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 maximum fine.

Watson murder

If a person kills someone while driving under the influence, they may be charged with Watson murder. Watson murder charges are brought if the driver’s conduct demonstrated a wanton disregard for life, and they were especially aware of the risks of drunk driving.

Prosecutors most commonly bring Watson charges if the defendant had a previous DUI. Every Californian who is convicted for DUI is required to sign a Watson admonition that states they may face murder charges if they kill someone while driving under the influence.

Watson murder carries the same penalties as second-degree murder: up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Homicide-Related Charges:

In addition to murder charges outlined under California Penal Code Section 187, homicides could be charged as:

Voluntary manslaughter – California Penal Code Section 192(a)
Involuntary manslaughter – California Penal Code Section 192(b)
Vehicular manslaughter – California Penal Code Section 192(c)

Our Encino Homicide Attorney Will Put Up a Fierce Fight for You

A homicide conviction can have tremendous consequences. When your freedom and your future are on the line, you need a trusted Encino homicide lawyer to fight for you.

At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we can help you understand the charges you are facing and the best possible defense strategies for your case. We will offer candid advice and aggressive advocacy throughout the process.

If you’ve been charged with murder or manslaughter, please contact us now. The early stages of a criminal case often determine the outcome. We can help you.

Proudly serving clients from the following locations: Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Century City, Los Angeles Airport, Marina Del Rey, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Valencia, West Los Angeles, and Woodlands Hills.

Get Your Free Consultation

Homicide Lawyer in Encino