187 Police Code

Understanding the 187 Police Code

The 187 police code refers to the California Penal Code section for murder. When police officers say “187”, they are indicating a homicide or murder. This code is used across police radios and communications to efficiently report murders and homicides.

Origin of the 187 Police Code

The 187 police code comes directly from California Penal Code Section 187, which defines murder under California law. This section was added back in 1872, shortly after California became a state, and has remained the murder statute for the state.
Over the radio, the full “Penal Code Section 187” would take too long to say. So officers shortened it to simply “187” when reporting homicides. This quicker shorthand has stuck and become universally recognized in California as referring to murder.

When Police Use “187”

These days, 187 is used across police radios and communications in a few key situations:

• When a homicide or suspected homicide is initially reported
• To identify homicide crime scenes
• As a homicide case identifier – calling it the “187 case”

So if officers respond to a scene with a dead body and signs of foul play, they may radio “we’ve got a possible 187 here” to communicate there could be a murder.

The code is not used for deaths ruled as suicides, accidents, or natural causes – only for suspected homicides. And it does not necessarily mean charges or an arrest will be made right away; just that homicide detectives will likely investigate.

Other Police Codes vs. 187

While many police departments use coded radio lingo, 187 stands out as one of the most widely recognized police codes. This comes from pop culture and music references spreading its meaning in recent decades.
Most police codes are used locally, and vary between departments. But with rappers and movies referring to 187 murders, the code has taken on a universal meaning tied specifically to homicide.
Some examples of other common police codes include:

• Code 3 – Emergency, lights and sirens
• Code 4 – No further assistance needed
• Code 5 – Stakeout or surveillance in place

Unlike 187 for murder, these types of codes can vary locally. Code 3 in LA might mean something different in NYPD codes. So the 187 code stands out as broadly recognizing murder across different agencies.

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187 in Pop Culture

While 187 is a technical penal code citation, it has developed a cultural meaning tying it closely to murder, death, and homicide.
This notoriety comes from numerous references in music over the past 30 years. Gangster rap pioneers like Ice-T and Dr. Dre released songs titled “187” or referencing the penal code in lyrics. As gangster rap went mainstream, the code became ingrained in pop culture.

Movies like Training Day also wove the 187 police code into scripts for dramatic dialog around homicide cases. Over time, this has solidified its cultural status.

So 187 holds weight not just as police shorthand, but as a widely recognized slang reference to murder or homicide across music, movies and more.

Legal Implications of a 187 Case

Given its severe nature, a 187 case holds major legal implications if charges are filed. In California, 187 refers to murder – defined as an unlawful killing with malice aforethought. This means either an intent to kill, or reckless indifference to human life.
Potential penalties if convicted of murder under PC 187 in California include:

• 25 years to life in prison
• Fines up to $10,000
• Capital punishment (death penalty) in special circumstances

So while 187 has a short radio code, the underlying homicide charge carries steep consequences. The use of 187 is meant to trigger the highest-priority response and investigation by police when a murder is reported or discovered.

187 Murder vs. Manslaughter

An important distinction is between PC 187 murder charges, and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter charges. Manslaughter is also an unlawful killing, but without malice or intent to kill.

For example, a deadly bar fight could result in a voluntary manslaughter charge if there was no premeditation. Involuntary manslaughter may involve a deadly accident while driving drunk. Both are homicides, but the lack of intent or “malice” helps distinguish them from murder.

This context around “malice” is why detectives digging into a 187 case look closely at evidence of planning, motive, recklessness or other signs of intent. The charges brought by the District Attorney then outline the official homicide violation.
But regardless of eventual charges, the initial 187 police code sets the wheels in motion for a full investigation anytime a murder is suspected.

Defenses to 187 Murder Charges

Facing accusations of homicide brings steep consequences. So for those charged with murder under PC 187, constructing a strong legal defense is critical.

Common defenses to murder charges in California include:

Self-Defense
If evidence shows the killing occurred while defending yourself or others from imminent danger, this may defeat a 187 charge. The key questions become whether the self-defense was reasonable and truly necessary to prevent grave harm.

Insanity
This argues the defendant was unable to distinguish right from wrong or understand the nature of their actions due to mental illness. Hard to prove, but could overcome a murder charge.

False Accusations
If the evidence ultimately shows the defendant did not actually commit the killing, then they should not be convicted of murder under 187. An alibi or mistaken identity could defeat the charges.

As you can see, police charging 187 murder triggers a legal process examining the homicide from all angles. Building an affirmative defense requires looking closely at the nuances of what happened.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can often be the difference-maker in overcoming severe accusations by spotting defenses and holes in the prosecution’s version of events. So while a 187 charge may seem intimidating at first, all hope is not lost by any means.

When the Police Wrongfully Accuse 187

While the 187 code is intended to identify unlawful killings, sometimes mistakes happen. With the chaos at a potential crime scene, important context can get lost in initial responding officers’ summaries.

We have seen several examples of police wrongfully accusing people of murder due to misleading circumstantial evidence:

• A man found holding his wife after an accidental fall down stairs was accused of pushing her. But investigation proved her death was simply a tragic accident.
• A father trying desperately to perform CPR on his choking daughter was wrongfully accused of suffocating her. It turned out she had accidentally swallowed a small toy.
• In a drug raid gone bad, police killed an innocent woman but falsely reported they were defending themselves from her as a suspect. Only video evidence exposed this lie.

While these examples are more exceptions than the norm, they illustrate why judgment should be reserved until all the facts come in. Homicide charges can be misapplied in the heat and chaos of unfolding investigations.
Yet accusations stick, and are not easily undone even after someone’s innocence is proven. This only underscores the need for due process and not rushing to accuse people of the severe 187 charge without certainty of what happened.

How to Avoid False Accusations of 187

The best medicine is prevention. While false murder charges are rare, the stakes make avoiding any misconceptions a top priority.
Here are some key tips if you witness or are involved in a serious incident resulting in someone’s death:

• Remain calm and cooperative with police. Do not get defensive or confrontational, as this can create suspicion.
• Be very careful in initial statements to police. You may be in shock and say something inaccurate or misleading. Ask to collect your thoughts before giving any official statements.
• If accused wrongly, do not try to argue or resist arrest. Simply invoke your right to remain silent and speak with an attorney first.
• Avoid guessing at answers if unsure during interrogation. Instead say you “do not recall right now” but will think it over with counsel.
• Seek experienced legal help immediately. False accusations often stick without swift aid from a homicide defense lawyer.

While extremely stressful, following these guidelines helps avoid compounding an already heavy situation with inaccurate murder charges.

The Bottom Line on the 187 Police Code

In the end, the 187 code is radio shorthand with deep cultural ties signaling a suspected murder. For police, it triggers an urgent response to secure a homicide crime scene and notify investigators.

Yet 187 allegations also carry profound legal and personal implications. Such severe accusations cut extremely deep, even if the charges ultimately get dismissed later on.

So this simple 3-digit code holds tremendous weight on both sides of the courtroom. Its use sets in motion the highest stakes in our criminal justice system.

The police may say 187 in passing over the airwaves. But the underlying homicide violation brings lasting trauma for all involved. So understanding the true gravity behind this term is key for all.