When you hit someone with your car, the after effects can be terrifying.
If you are charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence,
or another traffic offense in relation to the accident, then you could
be charged with
vehicular manslaughter. In California, this offense can be a wobbler. Those who were not under
the influence of drugs and alcohol but have still been charged with vehicular
manslaughter can be sent to jail for a year under the misdemeanor charge.
If you are convicted of a felony charge of vehicular manslaughter, then
you can be sent to prison for two to ten years.
When alcohol is involved, then you can be sent to jail for sixteen months,
two, or four years per count of manslaughter, and be given an extra three
to six year sentence per surviving victim that suffered great bodily harm.
Vehicular manslaughter can be due to driving under the influence or an
intoxicating substance, or because you were negligent when behind the
wheel. Those who cause a fatal crash because of their inability to pay
attention to traffic signals and abide by road codes can also be issued
this charge.
Vehicular manslaughter is serious, so what happens if you are falsely accused?
According to the
OC Register, an Orange County resident recently died when he was hit by a car speeding
through the streets on Monday morning. The driver of the 2006 silver Infiniti
sedan says that a man darted into the street from the crosswalk. The police
began to investigate the situation soon after the victim was pronounced
dead. They wanted to determine if the driver was being negligent, was
under the influence, or was acting in a way that resulted in the death
of the pedestrian. Yet there is a chance that the man who darted out in
front of the car did so on purpose.
Investigators assume that the man may have wanted to commit suicide, and
decided that he could end his life quickly if he ran out into the street.
If you have been charged with vehicular manslaughter and believe that
you are being wrongly accused in a situation similar to this one, then
talk to a criminal defense attorney today! A lawyer at the Law Offices
of Virginia L. Landry can help you to combat your charges. We will work
hard to gather evidence in your favor and show the courts that you are
not being treated justly. By working with us, you may be able to avoid
years of jail time. Choose a lawyer that cares and embark on a journey
for justice with our firm right now!