In Florida, the term vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter typically refers to when a human being—or fetus, via injury to the mother—is killed as the result of reckless driving by another individual.
Offenses that result in loss of life can have devastating legal consequences. Anyone who faces such a charge may want to discuss their case with an accomplished traffic lawyer who could aggressively advocate for them in court.
A seasoned Boca Raton vehicular homicide lawyer could help formulate a credible defense, articulate why it is legally valid, and potentially provide legal representation. Contact Leifert & Leifert for a free review of your case.
Consequences for a Vehicular Homicide Conviction
According to Florida Statutes §782.071, vehicular homicide can be charged as a Second or First-Degree Felony. Typically, the crime qualifies as a Second-Degree Felony, which may result in up to 15 years of imprisonment and fines which could reach $10,000.
However, if the individual responsible for the accident knew the incident took place, did not provide aid to those injured, and did not provide personal contact information to a police officer on site, the offense may be considered a First-Degree Felony. If convicted, the individual could be incarcerated for up to 30 years and be fined up to $10,000.
Someone who is facing a vehicular manslaughter charge may want to seek the services of an attorney before accepting any deals offered by the Prosecution. A vehicular homicide lawyer in Boca Raton could examine any such offers and help determine if it would be beneficial to accept such terms.
The Goals of a Prosecutor in a Vehicular Homicide Case
A vehicular homicide conviction does not typically require proof of intent. As such, the Prosecution may not have to provide evidence that the Defendant meant to hurt anyone for conviction in a vehicular homicide case. However, the Prosecution generally does to have prove to the jury—beyond a reasonable doubt—that several factors occurred.
First, the person who was allegedly harmed by the car accident must have died directly as a result of that incident. The Prosecution must also prove that the actions of the defendant directly resulted in the death of that person. Additionally, the State needs to demonstrate that the Defendant was the person operating the motor vehicle involved in the incident and drove in a manner that was likely to result in the death or serious bodily injury to another person.
Frequently, the Prosecutor has the responsibility of proving that the defendant caused the death beyond all reasonable doubt. This factor is often the central focus of many vehicular manslaughter trials.
Boca Raton vehicular homicide attorneys at Leifert & Leifert understand the legal system and how it could address a vehicular homicide case. If retained by a Defendant, they could work to re-examine different facts of the case and help build a defense that could refute the charge.
How a Boca Raton Vehicular Homicide Attorney Could Help
Before meeting with a Prosecutor, a person who is charged with vehicular homicide should strongly consider obtaining the legal services of a skilled defense attorney. Vehicular homicide is a severe charge and may incur significant penalties that could drastically limit a convicted person’s freedom.
A Boca Raton vehicular homicide lawyer could work tirelessly to help you combat your charge. Reach out to Leifert & Leifert for a free consultation from a legal team that knows how to handle vehicular homicide cases.
