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Fullerton Lawyer for the Defense of Murder

In Fullerton, as in any part of the state, sometimes crimes like robbery or arson accidentally turn into murder. In California, murder is “the unlawful killing of a human being, or fetus, with malice aforethought.” If you’ve been charged with murder, you will need to be represented by an attorney with a proven track record, like Orange County criminal defense attorney Ms. Johnson-Norris.

The word homicide refers to the killing of another person, whether or not it is lawfully justified; whereas murder and manslaughter are always unlawful. What makes manslaughter different from murder is the lack of malice aforethought. The term “malice aforethought” means the mental state of the defendant at the time of the homicide, and generally refers to the “wanton disregard for human life,” or doing an act against another with a high degree of probability that it will result in death.

Requiring the prosecution prove “malice aforethought” could make a big difference when it comes to sentencing, and that’s why you’ll want a reputable Fullerton murder defense lawyer like Ms. Johnson-Norris on your side when you go to court.

If charged with first degree murder, there are a number of different routes one may take in proving that they did not commit that crime. For one, a common defense is that they had a fair justification for their actions, such as self-defense. In order to successfully argue for self-defense, then they must demonstrate that the reasons for killing were that they had no other choice to because they truly believed that the other party had the genuine intentions of either causing serious bodily injuries or killing them. However, in order to make this argument, they must not have instigated the violent encounter. Also, the amount of force used must be reasonably equal to the force used by the other party. Another defense for first-degree murder is that you did not commit that severe of a charge, but instead, a less severe one, such as manslaughter or second degree murder. This is common when there are not all of the elements that first-degree murder must have in order to be categorized as such. Some may say that the killing was completely unintentional (involuntary manslaughter) or that there was no premeditation (second-degree murder).

Like most other crimes, unlawful homicides can be categorized into different types, such as first-degree murder, second-degree murder, capital-murder, felony-murder, attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter.

Orange County homicide defense attorney Ms. Johnson-Norris knows that there are a variety of legal defenses she can present in any murder or manslaughter case. Some of these might include self-defense, defense of others, killing by accident, false or coerced confessions, mistaken identification, evidence obtained in an illegal search or seizure, and even the insanity defense.

If you’ve been charged with murder or manslaughter, call the Johnson Criminal Law Group today at (949) 622-5522. She has successfully earned a reputation in the Fullerton community as an outstanding advocate for her clients, with the knowledge and experience that get results.

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Criminal Defense Case Results

Mr. R was charged with embezzling close to $100,000 as a utility salesperson using a scheme to steal customers’ identities. Client avoided any jail time and received probation.

Mr. P was charged with embezzling equipment from John Wayne Airport while working as a contractor. Our office negotiated a civil compromise, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges and sealing his arrest record.

Mr. W. was charged with eight counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and criminal threats. Our office negotiated an offer of one year in therapy and then a dismissal of all charges.

Mr. H. was found by police passed out in his vehicle with drugs out in the open. Our office was successful in obtaining a diversion out of the criminal justice system and ultimately a dismissal.

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Thank you so much for all your help with our case. It was a pleasure meeting you and I appreciate all you’ve done for my family. You are the best attorney that we could have and we are so grateful that we met you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A juvenile delinquency client’s parent

Ms. Johnson-Norris always made me feel comfortable and confident. I was able to trust her and feel at ease very quickly. I felt like she was always on top of things and she left no questions unanswered and made that stressful time much easier for me.

E.K.

Ms. Johnson-Norris is the absolute definition of an attorney. She not only helped me with my petty theft case, but she also gave me peace of mind during these difficult times. The reason I would recommend Ms. Johnson-Norris is much more than just ‘she gets the job done.’ Rather, she works for you and gets results by taking the burden off you! I want to thank her for her time and encourage anyone who needs help to look to her for answers.

Nicole

I would highly recommend Ms. Johnson-Norris. She and her staff were knowledgeable, very personable, and sensitive to my personal situation. They kept me informed at every turn and were easily contacted whenever I had a question or concern. Additionally, Ms. Johnson-Norris successfully attained what I felt was a favorable outcome. She provided me with approachability and results, enabling me to move on and put the past behind me. Thank you, Ms. Johnson-Norris for everything, especially a huge sigh of relief!

A Criminal Defense Client

I hired Lauren Johnson-Norris when social services showed up at my door asking questions after my husband and I got into an argument. I didn’t understand why they were there and everything was so overblown. They threatened to put my kids in foster care. Ms. Johnson-Norris created a plan to keep my family together, to keep us all safe and to help us get out of the system quickly. She was compassionate and as smart as can be. Her fees were reasonable, I could always get her on the phone and it was such a relief to know that she was on our side. If you or your family ever run into trouble with social services, I strongly recommend calling her. I am so thankful.

A Juvenile Client

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Criminal Defense FaQ

What immediate steps will you take to protect my rights?

We provide immediate crisis command by reviewing the allegations against you and intervening with law enforcement to prevent further exposure. From the moment you retain the Firm, we act as your shield, managing all communications and executing a decisive strategy to protect your liberty and reputation.

We prioritize discretion and exposure management. We understand that a public allegation can be as damaging as a conviction; therefore, our strategy focuses on minimizing the visibility of your case while challenging the prosecution’s narrative to preserve your standing in the community.

We begin by meticulously reviewing the allegations to determine if the conduct even constitutes a crime under the law. We then scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against the highest standard — proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By analyzing the “who, what, when, where, and how,” we identify the natural questions a jury will have, allowing us to build an expert strategy that derails the prosecutor’s narrative.

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Yes, our firm offers comprehensive legal services in Orange County with a unique focus on “crossover” cases where criminal and juvenile law intersect. Johnson Criminal Law Group provides the specialized expertise necessary to navigate investigations that threaten parental rights and family stability.

When you partner with Johnson Criminal Law Group, you receive 24/7 responsiveness and a clear, strategic plan designed to resolve your legal emergency decisively. We balance aggressive defense strategies with genuine human connection, ensuring you are treated with the respect and transparency you deserve during a crisis

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