Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer

Motor vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania can be devastating and leave victims emotionally scarred for years to come. However, none are more traumatic than those that claim innocent lives. If you’ve been involved in a car crash where a loss of life occurred, you likely know this dreadful feeling all too well. The thought of being responsible for someone else’s death is highly distressing. Even if the collision wasn’t your fault, it’s often a painful experience to endure.

If you’re facing vehicular manslaughter charges without a skilled criminal defense attorney’s legal counsel, you may face harsher criminal penalties than you deserve. For individuals facing these charges near Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a vehicular manslaughter defense lawyer at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. may help you understand your legal options for defense and help you resolve the charge to achieve the most favorable outcome.

What Is Vehicular Manslaughter in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, there are two types of criminal charges individuals can face relating to vehicular manslaughter:  

• Homicide by Vehicle: occurs when someone unintentionally causes the death of another person by violating a traffic law and recklessly or negligently operating their vehicle. This is considered a third-degree felony. For example, running a red light and hitting a vehicle in the intersection, causing death is an example of homicide by vehicle. 

• Homicide by Vehicle While DUI: involves criminal charges for not only driving under the influence (DUI) but also homicide that’s considered a sentencing enhancement. This is charged as a second-degree felony. Note that individuals charged can face multiple counts of homicide, with one for each loss of life. 

What Are the Consequences of Vehicular Manslaughter in Pennsylvania?

Under Title 75 Pa. C.S. § 3732, vehicular manslaughter is considered a felony offense, leading to severe, long-term consequences in Pennsylvania. The circumstances surrounding the case and the possibility for sentencing enhancements, like, for example, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will determine the severity of penalties. 

According to Pennsylvania laws, possible penalties for a conviction of vehicular manslaughter are:

• Moving violation-related offense: As a third-degree felony, Homicide-by-Vehicle is punishable by up to seven years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.

• DUI-related offense: Due to the sentencing enhancement for driving under the influence, penalties for a DUI Vehicular Homicide are severe. A conviction is punishable by a minimum three-year jail sentence or a maximum of ten years in prison for each death that occurred, along with $25,000 in fines for each loss of life. 

For any vehicular manslaughter conviction in Pennsylvania, drivers are looking at a three-year suspension of their license. 

Challenging Vehicular Manslaughter Charges in PA

If you’re charged with vehicular manslaughter in Pennsylvania, multiple legal defenses could be argued to prevent long-term imprisonment and steep fines or to avoid a conviction entirely. 

To get a conviction for Homicide by Vehicle, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following four elements: 

1. You acted recklessly or with gross negligence; 
2. You caused a death;
3. That death occurred while you violated a traffic law, and
4. Violating that traffic law led to the death of another person. 

When you retain our experienced vehicular manslaughter attorneys, we will investigate your case thoroughly to challenge these elements and assert that your actions were not reckless or grossly negligent. 

For the prosecution to garner a conviction for Homicide by Vehicle While DUI, they must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 

1. You were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
2. You caused a death, and
3. That death was a consequence of driving under the influence.

Our criminal defense attorneys have spent their careers obtaining a comprehensive understanding of how to apply defense strategies that lead to favorable results for clients confronted with severe criminal offenses. Our first goal is to get an acquittal of all charges. However, if that is not feasible, we will work tirelessly with the prosecution to negotiate a plea for a lesser sentence to keep you out of jail in place of counseling, house arrest, and drug or alcohol rehabilitation. 

Talk to Experienced Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyers in Southeastern Pennsylvania

A conviction for vehicular manslaughter can lead to imprisonment, fines, and irreparable damage to your reputation with a permanent record. Don’t risk your future and freedom by waiting to consult a skilled criminal defense lawyer with experience defending against vehicular manslaughter charges. At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., our compassionate vehicular manslaughter defense attorneys understand good people make mistakes that can jeopardize their future and freedom in an instant. You can be confident that our attorneys will work tirelessly to stand up for your rights and have your sentence reduced, or charges dropped. 

For over 65 years, clients throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Southeastern Pennsylvania have trusted our firm with their most challenging legal troubles. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced vehicular manslaughter defense lawyer today by calling 215-822-7575 or completing a contact form.