Vehicular Homicide Find a qualified vehicular homicide lawyer to best prepare for your case.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you know how terrifying and traumatizing such an event can be. Unfortunately, accidents happen on the road and even small mistakes can have dire unintended consequences. Some car accidents involve tragic loss of life that was not intended by anyone involved. However, not all car accidents involving a death should result in prosecution for vehicular homicide.

Vehicular homicide in Florida refers to an automobile accident caused by reckless operating of a vehicle that results in someone’s death. It’s important to remember that if loss of life had not occurred, these same actions would likely be met with a minor traffic ticket. However, vehicular homicide verdicts can come with hefty punishments and long-lasting consequences.

As soon as you learn you’re being charged with vehicular homicide, it’s crucial to speak with a qualified and compassionate vehicular homicide attorney. Peterford Law can help you formulate the strongest defense possible and help protect your rights.

What is Vehicular Homicide?

In the state of Florida, vehicular homicide is a felony and can come with steep consequences. Vehicular homicide, also called vehicular manslaughter, is committed when someone drives in a reckless manner and causes the death of another person. If a person is found to have knowingly driven a vehicle in a manner likely to cause serious bodily harm or death, they can be convicted of vehicular homicide.

Negligence and careless driving alone do not constitute a vehicular homicide charge. Vehicular homicide applies specifically to reckless driving and is most commonly seen when the driver is intoxicated during the accident.

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Potential Punishments

In general, vehicular homicide is a second degree felony in Florida. This means a vehicular homicide conviction can result in up to 15 years in prison, 15 years on probation, and a $10,000 fine.

If the driver does not provide their information or try to give aid to the victim at the scene, the charge becomes “Vehicular Homicide without Providing Information or Rendering Aid,” which is a first degree felony. This first degree felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, 30 years on probation, and a $10,000 fine in the state of Florida.

It is also important to keep in mind that felony convictions can have long-term consequences that reach far beyond the initial sentence. Felony convictions can make it much harder to find employment later on, and convicted felons in Florida permanently lose freedoms such as:

• The right to vote or hold public office
• The ability to possess a firearm
• Various federal and state benefits

Routine life events like traveling or applying for loans can also be negatively impacted by a felony conviction. Those involved in a fatal car accident already must live with the trauma and possible injuries resulting from the incident.

To avoid even more consequences, it’s crucial to work with an experienced and trustworthy vehicular homicide lawyer. Peterford Law has handled over a thousand cases and has deep experience in both sides of the courtroom. He is prepared to help you present the strongest possible defense and protect your freedoms.

Possible Defenses

Working with an experienced vehicular homicide attorney gives you a chance to try to have your charges dismissed, acquitted or lessened. Lawyers can help look into details of your case to find out if any officers committed constitutional violations or made mistakes in their investigation that could create reasonable doubt. Proving small details like technical mistakes on the part of officers can result in a lesser charge as well.

The Right Vehicular Homicide Lawyer

The possible consequences of a vehicular homicide charge are too impactful to leave your case up to chance. You need an experienced and knowledgeable vehicular homicide attorney to help you build the strongest defense possible.

Peterford Law worked for four years as a prosecutor, so he understands both sides of the courtroom and can offer unique and valuable insights for your case. He is dedicated to helping his clients and truly cares about doing all he can to protect your freedoms. Peterford Law spends time helping each of his clients form a deep understanding of their case and advising them on the strongest possible defense. With over 1,000 cases handled so far, Peterford Law has the experience and knowledge you need to prepare for your vehicular homicide hearing.

Request a consultation today.