Violent Crime & Homicide Defense: San Jose & the South Bay
When the charge is serious—murder, robbery, carjacking, or assault—your future is decided by the quality of your defense. In these high-stakes cases, you do not need an attorney who is learning on the job. You need someone who has sat at both tables.
I’m Cameron Bowman. For 17 years, I served as a prosecutor with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, handling the most complex homicides and gang cases in the county. Since 2006, I have used that insider knowledge to protect the rights of the accused. I do not just negotiate away your life; I prepare every case for the possibility of a jury trial.
Note for 2026: If you have a past felony conviction, changes in the California Racial Justice Act that took effect on January 1, 2026 may allow us to seek review regardless of when the conviction became final, if bias affected your case. Call us to see whether you may be eligible for review.
Charges I Defend
I provide aggressive defense for violent felony allegations in the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice, including:
Homicide
Murder (1st/2nd Degree), Manslaughter, and Attempted Murder.
Robbery (PC 211)
Allegations of taking property by force or fear.
Carjacking (PC 215)
A strike offense involving the taking of a vehicle from a person’s immediate presence.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245)
Charges involving firearms, knives, or other objects alleged to have been used as deadly weapons.
Domestic Violence
PC 273.5 and PC 243(e)(1) allegations.
Gang Enhancements
Fighting the “more than reputational” benefit standard under AB 333.
The Criminal Process: What to Expect
Facing a violent crime charge is overwhelming. Here is the roadmap of how we navigate the Santa Clara County court system together:
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Arraignment
This is your first appearance. We enter a Not Guilty plea and address bail or O.R. (Own Recognizance) release.
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Early Investigation
This is your first appearance. We enter a Not Guilty plea and address bail or O.R. (Own Recognizance) release.
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Preliminary Hearing
For felonies, the prosecution must show probable cause. This is our first chance to cross-examine witnesses and expose weaknesses in the case.
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Pre-Trial Motions
I file motions to suppress evidence, challenge the legality of the arrest, and, where applicable, seek bifurcation of gang allegations under Penal Code § 1109.
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Trial or Resolution
If the prosecution refuses to offer a fair resolution, we move to a jury trial. I have tried nearly 100 cases to verdict, and I am at home in front of a jury.
Strategic Defense: Fighting Enhancements & Bias
In California, the base sentence is often just the beginning. Prosecutors use enhancements to add years, and sometimes decades, to a sentence. I fight back using current California law:
Firearm Enhancements (PC § 12022.53) & Judicial Discretion
In certain serious felony cases, alleged firearm use can trigger substantial consecutive sentencing enhancements. Under SB 620, judges have discretion to strike or dismiss qualifying firearm enhancements in the interest of justice. I aggressively advocate for the court to exercise that discretion by presenting mitigating facts, personal history, and weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
The Racial Justice Act (PC § 745) – 2026 Review of Older Felony Convictions
As of January 1, 2026, the California Racial Justice Act permits review of felony convictions regardless of when they became final, if the claim is properly brought and bias affected the case. If race, ethnicity, or national origin played a role in the stop, investigation, charging decisions, plea process, or sentencing, I can evaluate whether there is a basis to seek relief.
Gang Allegations (AB 333)
California law now requires the prosecution to prove that the alleged crime provided a common benefit to a gang that is more than reputational. I hold the prosecution to that burden and, where appropriate, seek to prevent gang allegations from unfairly influencing the jury’s view of the underlying charges.
Defending Non-Citizens: Immigration Exposure
In Silicon Valley, a violent crime allegation is often also an immigration crisis. Many violent felony convictions can carry severe immigration consequences, including the risk of deportation, inadmissibility, or other immigration penalties.
I prioritize immigration-conscious resolutions from day one and work to reduce both criminal and immigration exposure wherever the law and facts allow.
Proven Results in the South Bay
Attempted Murder
Jury acquitted my client in under two hours after we exposed fatal inconsistencies in the prosecution’s eyewitness testimony.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Proved our client acted in lawful self-defense during a group altercation.
Robbery (PC 211)
Reduced to a non-strike misdemeanor after showing the required force-or-fear element was not present.
Murder Allegation
Intervened during the investigation stage and presented exculpatory evidence before charges were filed.
Gang Enhancement
Successfully challenged the alleged gang benefit and avoided substantial additional prison exposure.