Hiring the right attorney is critical when you are facing a murder charge. We are led by Tony Tung, a former Los Angeles gang-task-force prosecutor who founded Tung & Associates in 2011. That background means we know exactly how homicide detectives build cases and how local prosecutors push for maximum penalties. Our office at 790 E. Colorado Blvd., 9th Floor, Pasadena (near I-210 and CA-134) keeps us in the heart of the community, minutes from the Pasadena Superior Court.
We treat every client like family because a murder charge threatens everything – freedom, reputation, and future. Our Pasadena murder defense lawyers will meet clients in jail the same day, and guide families through bail hearings, arraignments, and every court appearance. That hands-on support eases immediate fear and protects constitutional rights from the very first police contact.
Trial-tested homicide defense. Years in serious-felony courtrooms sharpened our cross-examination tactics and knowledge of forensic evidence.
Prosecutor insight. Knowing the “why” behind each charging decision lets us attack weak points or negotiate reductions when flaws appear.
Local reputation. Judges, prosecutors, and jurors in Pasadena recognize our name, which can help negotiations and credibility at trial.
You must act quickly after a murder arrest. The first hours set the tone for the entire case, and missteps can lock in damaging evidence before we can protect you.
No – exercise your right to remain silent. Anything you say, even casual comments to officers or cell-block neighbors, can be used later in court. Politely tell police, “I want a lawyer,” then stop talking.
Time is evidence, and evidence fades fast. When you call (626) 416-4668, our Pasadena criminal defense attorneys step in 24/7 to shield you at interrogations, demand all discovery, and preserve surveillance video or phone data before it disappears. Early intervention also lets us argue bail or own-recognizance release at the very first hearing.
Stay calm, gather paperwork, and avoid social-media posts about the case. We guide families through arranging funds for bail, locating the client at Pasadena City Jail or L.A. County facilities, and keeping jail calls confidential. With our team handling logistics, loved ones can focus on emotional support instead of legal maze-running.
California law draws clear lines between murder, manslaughter, and justified homicide.
Under Penal Code §187, murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with “malice aforethought,” meaning the intent to kill or extreme reckless disregard for life.
A homicide becomes murder when prosecutors can prove malice – either express (an actual intent to kill) or implied (an act so dangerous it shows a conscious disregard for life).
The felony-murder rule also treats any death that occurs during certain felonies – robbery, burglary, arson – as murder, even if the accused never meant to kill.
First-degree murder involves premeditation, lying in wait, use of poison, or a felony-murder scenario. It also covers “special circumstances” such as killing a police officer, which can elevate punishment to life without parole or death.
Second-degree murder is an intentional killing without planning – often an impulsive act in the heat of the moment – punishable by 15 years to life.
If malice is absent or mitigated, prosecutors may file manslaughter instead of murder.
Voluntary manslaughter covers heat-of-passion killings; involuntary manslaughter involves reckless but unintentional deaths; vehicular manslaughter applies to fatal crashes, sometimes charged as a “Watson” DUI murder when a repeat drunk driver knew the risks. The distinction matters because manslaughter sentences are far lighter than the 25-to-life range tied to first-degree murder.
We leverage every statutory nuance to challenge overcharging and seek reductions. By showing lack of malice, exposing weak evidence of premeditation, or proving a killing was accidental, our Pasadena murder defense attorneys can push for manslaughter – or complete dismissal – rather than a life-ending murder conviction.
A California murder conviction triggers some of the harshest sentences in the nation. First-degree murder – premeditated or felony-murder – exposes a defendant to 25 years to life, life without parole, or even the death penalty if “special circumstances” apply (e.g., multiple victims or killing a police officer). Although executions remain under a statewide moratorium, prosecutors still file capital cases, and juries still impose death verdicts.
Second-degree murder – an intentional killing without preplanning – carries a baseline of 15 years to life, with added years if a firearm or gang enhancement is proved. By contrast, voluntary manslaughter tops out at 11 years, underscoring why downgrading charges is so important.
Beyond prison, a murder conviction brings lifelong consequences: loss of voting and firearm rights, permanent felony status, and immigration removal for non-citizens. Los Angeles County recorded 181 homicides in 2024, and local prosecutors relentlessly pursue maximum terms at the Pasadena branch courthouse. We highlight these stakes early so clients grasp why swift, strategic defense work is critical to protecting their lives and futures.
Many murder cases change dramatically once all the facts and legal flaws surface. When we spot weaknesses – lack of intent, shaky identification, or constitutional violations – we press prosecutors to reduce charges to voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, saving clients decades behind bars.
Dismissal is rare but possible when the state’s evidence collapses. We move to suppress illegally seized evidence, exclude coerced statements, or discredit unreliable witnesses; if critical proof disappears, the court may dismiss the entire case.
A murder case can be won with the right blend of facts, law, and strategy. We analyze every detail – police work, forensics, witness stories – to craft a defense that breaks the prosecution’s narrative and raises reasonable doubt.
If someone reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to prevent death or great harm, California law excuses the act. We gather medical records, 911 audio, and witness statements to show imminent danger and a proportional response.
Eyewitness memory can be unreliable, especially under stress. By dissecting photo lineups, surveillance angles, and cell-tower pings, we expose gaps that point to the wrong person being charged.
Malice is the legal line between murder and lesser offenses. We highlight provocation, impulsive reactions, or accidental causes to argue for manslaughter or complete exoneration.
An accused who could not understand right from wrong at the time may be legally insane.
Psychiatric experts and treatment history help us prove diminished capacity, shifting the case away from murder and toward treatment.
If GPS data, receipts, or credible witnesses place the accused elsewhere, the state’s case collapses. We subpoena digital breadcrumbs and third-party records to create an irrefutable timeline.
Illegal searches, coerced confessions, or Brady violations can gut the state’s proof. We file suppression motions early; if the judge throws out key evidence, prosecutors may be forced to reduce or dismiss charges.
Bottom line – Every defense angle aims to create doubt, weaken malice, or exclude evidence – pathways that transform a life-ending charge into freedom or a far lighter outcome.
Our firm stands ready 24/7 to protect your future. If you or a loved one faces a murder charge, call (626) 416-4668 now for a free, confidential consultation with Tony Tung or a senior defense lawyer.
We will listen without judgment, explain next steps, and move fast to safeguard your rights – whether that means meeting you at our office on East Colorado Boulevard, visiting the Pasadena City Jail, or appearing in court on short notice.
Why act today? Early legal intervention can preserve crucial evidence, influence charging decisions, and secure a more favorable bail ruling. Waiting gives prosecutors – and public opinion – time to harden against you. Choosing an experienced, compassionate local attorney immediately can dictate the course of your entire case.
Take the first step toward a second chance.
Call (626) 416-4668 or complete our brief online form, and we will respond within minutes. Your defense starts the moment we answer the phone.
Your fight is our fight. Contact Tung & Associates today for a free, confidential consultation.
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