OC Voluntary Manslaughter Lawyer

Charged With Penal Code 192

Our defense lawyers at Law Office of Michael L. Guisti have over a decade of experience winning voluntary manslaughter cases. We have even dealt with many voluntary manslaughter charges in domestic violence situations where a homicide occurred and have handled "lover's triangles" that turned tragic. We are able to successfully get our client's murder charge GREATLY reduced and even dismissed.

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What Is the Crime of Voluntary Manslaughter?

Voluntary manslaughter under Penal Code 192 is when you kill someone during a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion intentionally with a conscious disregard for human life. When you kill another person and act with malice aforethought, that is murder—but if you acted without malice and killed somebody as the result of a heated quarrel or passion, that is considered to be voluntary manslaughter.

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Domestic Violence & Voluntary Manslaughter

There have been several cases where domestic dispute turns deadly. The courts have held that most cases of domestic violence homicide can be charged as voluntary manslaughter. We have dealt with cases where a victim is beaten by her boyfriend, a family member finds out, and, in the "heat of passion," goes to the suspect's house and ends up killing that person. Another case involved a biological father going to a stepfather's home and killing him in the "heat of passion" after learning about alleged molestation. There was even a case where a domestic violence situation involving a large number of family members led to a suspect, out of fear, firing shots to disperse the mob and accidentally killing somebody.

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Self Defense

There have been many domestic abuse cases where the victim who is being beaten gains a weapon and kills the domestic violence suspect; the courts have held that you are permitted to take whatever steps necessary to protect yourself if you're being harmed. That said, we have seen many cases where a person who was being attacked by their "significant other" kills that person out of self-defense, but still faces murder charges. That is why you need a skilled lawyer who can explain your situation to the court.

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If Convicted…

If there is any "silver lining" to voluntary manslaughter it's that if you face a much lesser prison sentence compared to murder. Voluntary manslaughter is a felony; if convicted, you face between 3 to 11 years in a state prison, up to $10,000 in fines, anger management classes, and community service.

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Call Now to Request Your Free Case Evaluation

Whether it was the result of a domestic violence situation or some other heated situation that resulted in a death, it is very important you contact our Orange County violent offense attorneys at Law Office of Michael L. Guisti. We can fight to get these charges reduced and help you get back on with your life.

This is a very serious charge and our goal is to win this case for you. Call us now at (714) 530-9690 to get started!

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Additional Information

• Understanding a California Homicide Charge
• The Difference Between Manslaughter Charges