Vehicular manslaughter often involves cases of vehicular accident or vehicular collision in which the driver or passenger of the other vehicle dies, or a pedestrian is hit and killed. Vehicular manslaughter is a listed crime in California and the conviction results in serious penalties. Cases of vehicular manslaughter lead to the on the spot arrest and different physical and chemical tests of the driver to confirm sobriety. If you have been in a situation which can lead to allegations of vehicular manslaughter, you can contact us to provide the best legal advice to you. We take cases of DUI, DWI and vehicular manslaughter all across California and have the first-hand experience of relevant laws, trials, and courtrooms.
According to statute 192(c), vehicular manslaughter is when a driver out of ordinary negligence or during a lawful act that can cause death, kill another person. It means that driver committed an unlawful act not amounting to a felony or you used a lawful action in an unlawful way which resulted in the death. To convict the person of vehicular manslaughter, the prosecutor must establish that the i) The defendant was driving a car in a manner that constitutes a misdemeanor, infraction or otherwise lawful act in an unlawful way. ii) The defendant’s action, i.e., a misdemeanor, infraction or lawful act in an unlawful manner were dangerous to human life. iii) The defendant’s acts were of ordinary negligence. iv) The defendant’s action resulted in the death of another person.
For example, you are lawfully driving a car with a driving license, you are talking to your girlfriend while driving and in doing so, you hit a person on the sidewalk and kill him; you will be charged with vehicular manslaughter. If you are driving above the speed limit and end up hitting a phone booth with a person inside it and killing him, you will face allegations of vehicular manslaughter. If you deliberately hit your car to a tree to collect insurance money and in doing so, kill a person lying under the tree, you will face criminal offense charges.
In some of the cases, deaths of vehicular accidents are charged with murder under 191.5(a) and 191.5(b). It is when you were driving the car while under the influence of alcohol or while intoxicated.
In the circumstances involving you or your family member facing allegations of vehicular manslaughter, we can help you out with the best legal defense representation. A dedicated team of lawyers will work on your case to get the best possible outcomes.