Pleading or Being Found Guilty

If you are charged with a DUI in the State of California and you end up pleading or being found guilty, you will likely be given an advisement based on the 1981 California Supreme Court case, People v. Watson. This advisement is also referred to as the ”Watson Advisement”.

This advisement is usually incorporated into the Plea Agreement and read aloud by the judge to serve as a warning of the potentially hazardous outcome should their driving cause a death in the future.

The Watson Advisement - Charged with Murder for a DUI |The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian - Los Angeles County Criminal Defense Attorneys - property, juvenile, petty theft, DUI, misdemeanor, and felony Criminal Law

Essentially, the court must inform the Defendant of three things:

  1. That consuming a controlled substance affects their ability to safely operate a vehicle;
  2. That driving under the influence of a controlled substance is inherently dangerous to human life;
  3. That if they do drive under the influence and as a result a person is killed, that they can be charged with murder.

It Is Still Possible To Be Charged With Murder

This warning does not really affect you when you enter your plea, and it may never have an impact on your life in the future, but it is still a real possibility. Even if you have not been given a Watson advisement, it is still possible to be charged with Murder as a result of a DUI, as opposed to Manslaughter.  However, every case is different!

We have offices in Santa Ana, Westminster, Newport Beach and Fullerton to serve clients with matters heard at the Central, West, Harbor, and North Justice Centers, respectively, for all of Orange County.  The lawyers at The Law Offices of Bryan R. Kazarian are here to help!  Book an online consultation to get started today.