Vehicular Homicide Overview & Vehicular Manslaughter Legal Defense

Vehicular Homicide Overview and Vehicular Manslaughter Legal Defense

Cases involving vehicular homicide are often very shocking and receive extensive media spotlight. An average day or a fun night out can end with very serious charges, including imprisonment, fines, and license revocation.  One bad decision can spur a lifetime of devastating consequences.

Examples of vehicular homicide charges in Minnesota

What is vehicular homicide?

The roads can be risky, with accidents happening every day. If an accident leads to someone's death, the driver might face serious felony charges for causing it. Vehicular homicide charges can be brought when someone unintentionally kills another person while driving. This often happens in cases of drunk driving, reckless behavior, speeding, texting while driving, or other extremely careless driving actions. In Minnesota, leaving the scene of a deadly accident can also result in a vehicular homicide charge.

Facing vehicular homicide charges can lead to serious outcomes, such as hefty fines, jail time, losing your driver's license, and having to pay more for insurance. The sentencing guidelines under Minnesota law suggest a five- to seven-year prison term if found guilty of vehicular homicide.  Minnesota law also recognizes the death of an unborn child and imposes a 48-month minimum sentence for causing the death of an unborn child.  Under state law, the maximum sentence for causing the death of a human being or the death of an unborn child is 10-years imprisonment or payment of a fine of not more than $20,000, or both.

What legal defenses are there for vehicular homicide?

Given the serious consequences of a vehicular homicide conviction, it's crucial for someone accused to get proper legal help to build a strong defense. There are different ways to defend against these charges, like showing there wasn't negligence, proving there's no direct link between the driver's actions and the accident, mentioning involuntary intoxication, insufficient evidence, or presenting a case of mistaken identity. Demonstrating that something else, like a road pothole or faulty car parts, caused the accident can break the connection and potentially lead to the accused person being found not guilty. It's also possible to argue that the accident would have happened even without the defendant's actions.

Experienced and competent legal representation is extremely important.

If you've been charged with vehicular homicide, Bruno Law has effectively and aggressively represented the rights of individuals convicted of serious crimes, including this one. Protect your rights and your future.

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