Drunk driving accidents can have deadly results. After a fatal car accident, you may be charged with DUI manslaughter. When facing DUI manslaughter charges, there are numerous consequences. If you receive a DUI manslaughter conviction, you can possibly serve time in prison, pay expensive fines, and potentially lose your right to drive permanently.
Florida DUI manslaughter cases should never be handled without an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney, you will have an experienced Miami DUI lawyer by your side throughout the entire legal process. We devote ourselves to every DUI manslaughter case with the personal attention it takes to create a strategic defense.
Contact our legal team today to discuss your DUI manslaughter defense with a Miami criminal defense lawyer.
What Is Considered DUI Manslaughter in Florida?
According to Florida law, any person driving while under the influence of either alcohol or a controlled substance, or even a combination of the two, and was then involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of another person, it is deemed DUI manslaughter.
This is a serious criminal offense, and any person convicted of DUI manslaughter will face severe penalties. However, the prosecution must prove a few things in order to land a conviction for DUI manslaughter. In addition to proving that the defendant was driving or physically controlling the vehicle, prosecutors need to show that the defendant was impaired from a controlled substance or that they had a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) over the legal limit. The legal limit in the state of Florida is 0.08 or above, and while these things must be in place to bring charges of DUI, the other half of the equation is manslaughter.
For DUI manslaughter charges, the defendant must additionally have caused or contributed to the death of another person or unborn child through their actions.
What Are the Penalties for DUI Manslaughter in Florida?
In Florida, if it can be proven that the driver committed all of the elements that entail a DUI manslaughter charge, they face major penalties upon conviction. DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony, which carries up to fifteen years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Additionally, there may be up to 15 years of probation, community service, and required substance abuse treatment courses. You will have your vehicle impounded as well.
If you think the lengthy prison sentence is bad for DUI manslaughter, the penalties are even more severe for this charge if you leave the scene without trying to render aid to the injured or providing your contact information. This would be a first-degree felony charge with up to 30 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. It’s possible for you to lose your driving privileges and for this criminal conviction to permanently remain on your record.
DUI manslaughter is a serious offense, one that requires the experience of a DUI manslaughter attorney. Make sure you contact Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney to get an experienced defense attorney on the case.
What to Do When Facing This Criminal Offense
In a DUI accident, DUI manslaughter will be the charge brought against you if you were driving under the influence of a chemical or controlled substance and as a result of your actions, you caused the death of another human being. The death of an unborn child is considered in these criminal charges.
The mandatory minimum sentence you could receive for this crime is four years in prison. Without proper legal representation from a homicide defense lawyer, you could wind up serving a serious sentence.
Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney, will work tirelessly on your defense to show that the law enforcement officer had insufficient probable cause to bring about these charges. We can challenge the results of the breath or blood tests as well as the administration of field sobriety tests.
In some cases, it may have been the victim that broke traffic laws, leading to the accident. We can call upon accident reconstruction experts to testify and help you avoid these harsh penalties. Contact our legal team today to get the expertise in the representation you deserve.
