If you have been charged with vehicular manslaughter, you must contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. This type of charge means that law enforcement believes they have enough evidence to prove that you unintentionally killed another person through your operation of a motor vehicle. Vehicular manslaughter charges cover a wide variety of circumstances ranging from reckless driving or negligence all the way up to drunken driving.
These are very serious charges that can result in:
- Long-lasting penalties for you as well as for your family.
- You may lose your driver’s license, either temporarily or permanently,
- You will face the possibility of large fines and jail time.
An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to look at all of the evidence objectively and give you an accurate picture of the potential results of your case. If you have a poor driving history or a record of similar charges, your attorney may not be able to give you good news.
Fortunately, charges of vehicular manslaughter do not automatically mean that you will be convicted or that you will be incarcerated. Your criminal defense attorney’s job is to present all of the facts of your defense, including your record and any extenuating circumstances that affected the events surrounding your wreck. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to arrange for some sort of community service in exchange for reduced penalties.
Serious charges such as vehicular manslaughter are life-altering for everyone concerned. Your rights and your future are at stake, and you have the emotional after-effects of the incident with which to contend. Your criminal defense attorney understands how emotionally-charged your case is and can help you to achieve the best results possible.