Practice area – Attempted Murder
Charged with attempted murder in Riverside County?
Facing 7 years to life. 15 to life if the alleged target is a peace officer. Firearm and gang enhancements stack on top. These cases are defensible.
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What you’re facing
Attempted murder (PC 664/187) requires the prosecution to prove specific intent to kill – a high bar. Penalty: 7 years to life base sentence; 15 to life if the alleged target is a peace officer or firefighter. Firearm enhancements add 10 years (used), 20 years (discharged), or 25-to-life (caused great bodily injury). Gang enhancements add 10 years or convert the sentence to life. The charge is a Strike Offense regardless of outcome.
Defenses I build
Attempted murder cases turn on intent. The prosecution must prove you specifically intended to kill – not just to harm, frighten, or wound. I challenge the intent element through context, statements, weapon use, and the nature of the alleged attack. I work with experts on injury patterns and ballistics. Identification issues, self-defense claims, and lack of specific intent are common defense paths. My recent results include attempted murder charges reduced to misdemeanors with time served, and attempted murder with firearm and gang enhancements reduced from a life sentence to 12 years.
Attempted Murder Case Results
Charged With
Case result available on consultation
Outcome
12 Years
Attempted Murder – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Assault w/ Deadly Weapon + Great Bodily Injury
Outcome
Placeholder
Attempted Murder – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Take-Over Robbery, Kidnapping, 3 Strikes – Multiple life counts
Outcome
12 Years
Attempted Murder – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Attempted Murder – Facing 7 yrs to Life
Outcome
Misdemeanor, Time Served
Attempted Murder – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Attempted Murder + Firearm + Gang – Facing Life
Outcome
12 Years
Attempted Murder – Riverside Co.
Charged With
ADW + Robbery + GBI + Gang Affiliation
Outcome
NOT GUILTY
Attempted Murder – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Attempted Murder – Facing 7 yrs to Life
Outcome
Misdemeanor, Time Served
Attempted Murder – Riverside Co.
Common Questions
What does the prosecution have to prove for attempted murder?
California defines violent crimes broadly: murder and attempted murder, assault and assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code 245), robbery and armed robbery, kidnapping, criminal threats, and any offense resulting in great bodily injury. Many include gang or firearm enhancements that stack additional years on top of the base sentence. Most are also Strike Offenses, meaning the conviction follows you for life and doubles your exposure on any future felony.
Can attempted murder be reduced to assault with a deadly weapon?
Often, yes. ADW (PC 245) requires intent to commit violent injury but NOT specific intent to kill. Reducing attempted murder to ADW drops the exposure significantly – from 7-to-life down to a wobbler that can be misdemeanor or felony. The reduction usually turns on whether the prosecution can prove specific intent to kill versus just intent to cause serious injury.
How do firearm enhancements affect attempted murder sentencing?
Significantly. PC 12022.53 adds: 10 years for using a firearm, 20 years for discharging one, and 25 years to life for causing great bodily injury with a firearm. These enhancements stack on top of the base attempted murder sentence and run consecutively. A 7-year base can become a 32-to-life sentence with the right combination of enhancements.
Types of Attempted Murder Charges I Defend
Attempted murder appears in several forms with different exposure profiles:
Attempted First-Degree Murder
Attempt with premeditation. Base sentence: 7 years to life.
Attempted Second-Degree Murder
Attempt without premeditation. Same base sentence range.
Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer
15 years to life if the alleged target is a peace officer or firefighter.
Firearm Enhancement (PC 12022.53)
Adds 10/20/25-to-life depending on level of use – used, discharged, or causing GBI.
Gang Allegation (PC 186.22)
Adds 10 years or makes the sentence indeterminate (life with possibility of parole).
Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter
Lesser included offense. Heat of passion or imperfect self-defense.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245)
Common reduction target when specific intent to kill cannot be proven.
Why Attempted Murder Cases Are Defensible
Compared to completed murder cases, attempted murder gives the defense more tools to work with. The reasons:
- Specific intent is hard to prove – actual intent to kill is a high bar
- No fatality means more witnesses available – including the alleged victim
- Forensic evidence is often less developed than in homicide cases
- Lesser included offenses (ADW, attempted manslaughter) give negotiation room
- Self-defense and defense-of-others claims are often viable
These cases are defensible – which is why my recent attempted murder results include misdemeanor outcomes and substantial reductions. The right defense engages early, builds the intent challenge from day one, and pushes for lesser included offenses where the evidence supports them.
