Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

A murder and carjacking case

my husband was charged with carjacking two months later was charged with a murder the question is how much time and can they tie he two cases toghther and is there any body that can help he already has 1 strick


Asked on 3/26/08, 4:59 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: A murder and carjacking case

If the carjacking and the murder were separate incidents they will be tried separately. If they were the same incident (as might be the case if the victim died two months later of injuries he sustained during the carjacking) then they will be part of a single case.

There is no way to say how much time your husband is facing without more facts. Depending on how the murder was charged, he could be sentenced to death. Even if he is acquitted of murder and convicted only of carjacking, he will likely be sentenced to many years behind bars -- especially in light of his prior strike.

Your husband needs a lawyer. If he can't afford one he will have to rely on a public defender. He should not even think about trying to represent himself in cases as serious as these.

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Answered on 3/26/08, 2:30 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: A murder and carjacking case

Can anybody help? Sure, an attorney. Get him private counsel, or apply to the public defender if you qualify.

Joinder of the cases? Sure, if someone died as a result of the carjacking.

Time? Many years in prison on the charges, multiplied by the prior strike.

Feel free to contact me if serious about getting private counsel.

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Answered on 3/26/08, 3:23 pm
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: A murder and carjacking case

If the carjacking and the murder were separate incidents they will be tried separately. If they were the same incident (as might be the case if the victim died two months later of injuries he sustained during the carjacking) then they will be part of a single case.

There is no way to say how much time your husband is facing without more facts. Depending on how the murder was charged, he could be sentenced to death. Even if he is acquitted of murder and convicted only of carjacking, he will likely be sentenced to many years behind bars -- especially in light of his prior strike.

Your husband needs a lawyer. If he can't afford one he will have to rely on a public defender. He should not even think about trying to represent himself in cases as serious as these.

Read more
Answered on 3/26/08, 5:52 pm


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