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Burbank DUI Murder

BURBANK DUI MURDER / BURBANK WATSON MURDER PENAL CODE 187

In certain DUI accidents that result in the death of another person, the California Supreme Court has authorized prosecutors to file these cases as Burbank DUI Murder pursuant to California Penal Code Section 187 PC. These charges are commonly referred to as Burbank Watson Murders after the authorizing case law. As opposed to Burbank Vehicular Manslaughter charges under California Penal Code Section 191.5(b) PC and California Penal Code Section 191.5(a) PC, Burbank DUI murder is a second (2nd) degree murder charge that carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

To prove a case of Burbank Watson Murder, it must be established beyond a reasonable doubt that an impaired driver consciously ignored a known risk (i.e. drunk driving) and acted in a manner inherently risky to human life. This action subsequently must result in the death of another.

Usually, prosecutors only charge Burbank DUI Murder in the most egregious cases, such as where the defendant has previous convictions for DUI or that person had taken a alcohol awareness class and still chose to drive while under the influence of alcohol.

In most murder cases, the prosecutor must prove that a death was intentional. In Watson murder charges, this intent element is implied, and the prosecutor is only required to show that the defendant clearly understood that drunk driving is risky to others yet they did it anyways, and subsequently killed another person.

The Courts have made proving knowledge of the risk of impaired driving easier by requiring anyone convicted of a DUI offense to sign an acknowledgement stating that impaired driving is an activity inherently risky to human life. This acknowledgment is referred to as the “Watson advisement.”

There are a variety of defenses that may be applicable in DUI Murder cases and it is important to contact a Burbank DUI Murder Attorney to explore your options if you or a loved one is under investigation for this offense. Burbank DUI Murder Attorney Michael Kraut is highly experienced in dealing with offenses of this nature, both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney. Burbank DUI Murder charges can be highly technical and require the skills of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney.

Once Mr. Kraut is retained, he can bring in his team of investigators and experts to work up the case and perform additional investigation to discover evidence that may have been missed in the initial police investigation. Mr. Kraut works with top professionals in performing accident reconstructions, conducting independent toxicology testing and finding witnesses and evidence that may have been overlooked.

As a former Deputy District Attorney with over 14 years of prosecutorial experience, Mr. Kraut is highly regarded throughout the court system as a fierce defender of his clients’ rights who approaches his cases with vigorous dedication. Mr. Kraut has represented family members of law enforcement for DUI murder cases and has highly successful at getting the Watson Murder charges dismissed.

For more information about Burbank DUI Murder / Burbank Watson Murder, and to schedule your free consultation, contact Burbank DUI Murder Attorney Michael Kraut at the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers located at 2600 West Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, Burbank, CA 91505. Mr. Kraut can be reached 24/7 at 888-334-6344 or 818-563-9810.


Client Reviews
★★★★★
Michael Kraut is outstanding! He genuinely cared about my case and instructed my mom and I throughout the entire process. He was very clear on what he needed in order to receive the best results. He kept us updated until the end. I thank him so much for getting my charges rejected. I highly recommend him to anyone with legal needs! Shaquan
★★★★★
I contacted Michael with concern for my personal and business reputation. He was very reassuring and confident the entire time. After about 3 weeks it was determined that no charges were being filed by any agency and I was in the clear of any investigation. One thing that is amazing is just how FAST Michael is at replying to phone calls, texts, and even emails! We are talking under 30 minutes in most cases. That is unheard of for most attorneys! Michael is incredible and not your typical run of the mill attorney. For best results hire him if you feel like you might be under investigation or could face charges. Even if you know you are innocent it is best to take care of the smoke before it becomes a fire. Brad
★★★★★
Michael Kraut is-hands down-the best criminal defense attorney and I can't begin to thank him for all that he did for me and my family. I reached out to him in the middle of the night and less than a couple hours later, he had gotten back to me and scheduled a meeting. He's a no-nonsense attorney who knows how to get the job done! From the second we retained him, I had peace of mind in knowing that we were in the best hands possible. If Michael Kraut couldn't get it done, I knew that it couldn't be done at all. You can't put a price tag on your freedom. He was worth every single penny. Lida
★★★★★
Michael Kraut is an outstanding attorney. He was extremely professional, and straightforward, yet sensitive with my case. I am confident I made the right choice by hiring Michael. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a truly experienced lawyer. Daniel
★★★★★
Michael Kraut - I cannot thank you enough for all that you did for ​my son. When I came to you I read that you used to be a district attorney but I never knew how much that meant until I watch you in court. I knew it took 3 months but the final day when I heard the judge say that all charges were dismissed it was all worth it! I will always be grateful for all that you did for us. A.N.
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