DUI Manslaughter Attorney in Tampa
Involuntary Fatalities in Drunk Driving Accidents
Also known as vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter is the act of killing
someone caused by reckless driving of a vehicle while under the influence
of drugs or alcohol. This is true whether the person passed away at the
scene of the accident or later as a result of fatal injuries. Because
DUI manslaughter includes a charge of
DUI as well as reckless driving, the
penalties of a conviction are extremely severe.
At Parks & Braxton, PA, we know how serious DUI charges are. Our
tampa dui lawyers have
successfully handled more than one thousand DUI cases, from simple misdemeanors to first degree felonies. If you are facing
a DUI manslaughter charge or another potential criminal conviction, trust
a firm with 48+ years of collective experience to help you protect your rights.
Our attorneys have AV Preeminent® ratings from Martindale-Hubbell®.
Contact our firm today and find out how our award-winning legal team may help you!
The Penalties of a DUI Manslaughter Conviction
If convicted of DUI manslaughter, individuals will be sentenced to a minimum
of 4 years in prison. In addition, they will pay fines of at least $1,000.
At your own expense, an ignition interlock device (IID) will be placed
on your vehicle for a minimum of 6 months. Any previous convictions involving
DUIs may increase the penalties—you may serve more time in prison,
pay more fines, and suffer consequences such as the IID for longer periods of time.
Second-Degree & First-Degree Felony Charges
DUI manslaughter is classified as either a second-degree felony or first-degree
felony, depending on the circumstances of the incident. As required by
§ 316.062 of Florida law, individuals must administer aid to the
other people they are involved in an accident with. The failure to render
aid—also known as leaving the scene or hit-and-run—is a criminal
offense that could increase the severity of the DUI manslaughter charge.
Tampa Dui Lawyers
However, whether the charge is classified as second-degree or first-degree,
DUI manslaughter carries heavy consequences that can change a person's life. Our
Tampa DUI lawyers understand the severity of these charges and takes appropriate action
to defend clients against the penalties. Without each individual offense
holding up in court, a DUI manslaughter charge may be reduced by contesting
the individual counts of reckless driving and DUI.
Challenge Evidence and Minimizing the Penalties
DUI manslaughter does not require proof of an intent to kill—the
prosecution only needs to prove that a person's reckless driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs caused fatal injuries in an accident.
At Parks & Braxton, PA, our team has valuable skills and experience
to put to use in
DUI manslaughter lawyer defense. Because of their
experience as former prosecutors, our
DUI lawyers in Tampa have working knowledge from both sides of the courtroom.
Your best defense against DUI manslaughter is a legal professional who
can pinpoint weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Even if you cannot
entirely dismiss the charges, you should
fight to reduce the penalties when the evidence against you is unsubstantiated. Do not suffer the consequences
of misinterpretations of the law and the events of an accident—let
Parks & Braxton, PA help you protect your rights and establish the
facts in court!
Schedule a free consultation with us today and take action to secure your future!