Vehicular Homicide Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA
When a tragedy strikes we may feel as though our hearts have fallen through the floor. Reality hits and we realize what is really important in life.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident where a death occurred, you are well aware of this horrible raw feeling. You may even be experiencing guilt of survival or you may be recovering from pain and injuries of your own. It is an extremely traumatic ordeal to think that you may have been responsible for someone else’s death.
The emotional scars from a severe accident can last a lifetime, not to mention the pain from any possible physical injuries. Even if the accident may not have been your fault, it is still a painful and disturbing situation to withstand.
If you have been charged with vehicular homicide you face even more struggles ahead. A conviction for vehicular homicide typically comes with up to seven years in prison, a $15,000 fine and a three year license suspension. A Homicide by Vehicle While DUI conviction is a minimum three years in prison and up to ten years for each person whose death you were proven to cause.
At Shrager Defense Attorneys we realize that accidents happen all the time and good people make mistakes that could cost them their freedom and their future.
We are compassionate Pittsburgh DUI attorneys and Pittsburgh Homicide Lawyers who can help you understand your rights and your options. We will work aggressively to have your sentencing reduced or your charges of vehicular homicide dropped.
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A VEHICULAR HOMICIDE OR HOMICIDE BY DUI CHARGE
DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.
CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
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WHAT IS VEHICULAR HOMICIDE OR HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE?
There are two types of vehicular homicide in Pennsylvania. The first is Homicide by Vehicle While DUI and the second is Homicide by Vehicle, a type of manslaughter.
Homicide by Vehicle means unintentionally causing the death of another person by breaking a traffic law and engaging in reckless or grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle. It is a type of Manslaughter. This could mean running a stoplight and hitting a pedestrian, causing their death. It is a third degree felony.
A Homicide by Vehicle While DUI is a second degree felony. Not only will you be charged with a DUI, but you will also be charged with a “sentencing enhancement” of Homicide. If more than one person’s death was caused by your driving while DUI, you can be charged with multiple counts of homicide – one for every death.
VEHICULAR HOMICIDE PENALTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA
Homicide by Vehicle is a third degree felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison, a $15,000 fine and a three year license suspension. The length of the prison sentence will largely depend on other DUI convictions, prior vehicular convictions and whether the defendant was on parole or probation at the time of arrest. Other factors like if the accident occurred in a work zone or involved an emergency vehicle can add time to the prison sentence.
A Homicide by Vehicle While DUI is covered by a special statute with harsher penalties. A DUI Vehicular Homicide conviction means a minimum of three years in jail and a maximum of ten years in prison for each person’s death, as well as a $25,000 fine for each individual death. It is a second degree felony.
If you have been charged with a DUI Vehicle Homicide, it is crucial that you speak to an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible.
It is free to talk to David J. Shrager – call or text his cell phone: 412-969-2540.
_______________________________________________
A VEHICULAR HOMICIDE OR HOMICIDE BY DUI CHARGE
DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU WILL BE CONVICTED.
CALL OR TEXT DAVID J. SHRAGER TODAY FOR A
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: 412-969-2540.
________________________________________________
DEFENSE FOR VEHICULAR HOMICIDE
There are plenty of legal defenses that could be taken in an attempt to avoid long prison sentencing and fines or to avoid a conviction altogether.
In order for you to be convicted of Homicide by Vehicle prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt these four elements:
- That you acted recklessly or were grossly negligent;
- That you did cause a death;
- That the death occurred while you were breaking a traffic law, and
- That breaking that law resulted in the death.
In order to be convicted of vehicular homicide it has to be proven that the driver was acting recklessly or in a grossly negligent manner. Having an experienced vehicular homicide attorney by your side is a critical step to disputing this element.
In order to be convicted of Homicide by Vehicle While DUI prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt these three elements:
- That you are guilty of DUI, or driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance;
- That you did cause a death;
- That the death was a result of driving under the influence
At Shrager Defense Attorneys we aggressively fight for our clients’ rights who have been charged with any of the following:
- Vehicular Homicide
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Homicide by Vehicle While DUI
- DUI or DWI
- Vehicular Assault
- Manslaughter
- Hit and Run Accidents
- Traffic Violations
Our primary goal is to have a complete acquittal of the charges, but if that is not possible, we work aggressively with the District Attorney to plea for a lesser sentence.
Many options are available to avoid a jail sentence, such as house arrest, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or counseling and defensive driving courses. There are several defense strategies that could be taken.
If you have been charged with vehicular homicide, it is crucial that you speak to an experienced vehicular homicide attorney as soon as possible. It is free to talk to David J. Shrager – call or text his cell phone, 24/7: 412-969-2540.
Have questions about a DUI in Pennsylvania? Here are some resources:
- A First Time DUI in Pennsylvania
- A Second DUI in PA
- DUI Drug Charges
- Multiple DUIs in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania DUI Laws
- DUI Defenses
- Allegheny County ARD Program
- Underage Drinking and DUI Charges
- Driving While Under DUI License Suspension
- Record Expungement
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FREE Legal Consultation
Call or Text 412-969-2540 right now for a FREE initial legal consultation.
Speak directly with David J. Shrager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Shrager Defense Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA will attack your criminal charges in order to protect your good name. Have a sound and solid case prepared by David J. Shrager and his legal team so they can fight for your rights.
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