Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Your question isn't clear about the status of your son's case. Has he already been sentenced to life, or is he awaiting sentencing?

If he hasn't been sentenced yet, has he been found guilty and/or entered a plea of either guilty or no contest? Has his trial started yet? If not, what is the status of the case?

If he has been sentenced already, has he filed an appeal? Have any of the briefs been filed? Is there already a decision?

Even though you don't have a lawyer, your son should have one. You can try to speak with him or her about how you might be able to help.

You ask whether you can request his paperwork, but I'm not sure which paperwork you mean or who has it. You can't demand access to his attorney's files, but his court files are public and you can see them. You can also have copies made, but would probably have to pay for them -- and perhaps quite a lot.

Feel free to contact me directly if you'd like to discuss your options. I'm primarily an appellate lawyer, which may or may not be what he needs at the moment. Even if it isn't, I may be able to offer some useful guidance.