Homicide

As a Deputy Public Defender for 25 years, Elena Saris has tried over a dozen homicide and special circumstance homicide cases. She is a masterful litigator who also possesses expert knowledge in several forensic fields such as DNA, Fingerprints, Cell Phone and GPS technology.

Homicide cases are generally handled by the most experienced law enforcement officers and tried by the most experienced prosecutors. You need both experience and expertise on your side when you or your loved one is facing this serious crime.

Too often lawyers who are unversed in forensics are unable to properly defend people accused of serious crimes. Forensic evidence is becoming more and more prevalent and you need an attorney who has experience in handling cases where this type of evidence is being used against the defendant.

Often times, lawyers will agree to represent defendants accused of serious crimes only through the preliminary hearing stages of these cases. But the more serious the case, the more likely the case is to go far beyond the preliminary hearing. Make sure the lawyer you hire is going to stand by your side for the duration of your case: From arraignment through the jury trial.

Why does homicide require special expertise:

• In California, the crime of homicide includes several different types of crimes.
• First Degree Premeditated Murder with Special Circumstances can lead to the death penalty or a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
• First Degree Premeditated Murder carries a sentence of 25-life and another 25 years can be added to that if a firearm was used.
• Second Degree Murder carries a sentence of 15-life.
• Voluntary Manslaughter and Involuntary Manslaughter are other charges that can be made in a homicide case.

The difference in the charges lies in the facts and the circumstances of the killing.  An experienced lawyer is so important in these cases because very often there are subtle facts that need to be thoroughly investigated in order to try to show that a killing should be charged in one of the lesser categories.

While working as a public defender, Elena Saris, won acquittals or dismissals and several favorable plea bargains for many clients charged with PC 187.