Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Attorney in Alabama
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), impaired driving remains a significant factor in fatal crashes statewide. In Alabama, a person could be facing vehicular manslaughter or homicide charges for causing another person’s death while operating a motor vehicle negligently, such as driving impaired or violating a traffic law.
Unfortunately, a vehicular manslaughter conviction could jeopardize the defendant’s quality of life, personal reputation, career, and future. If you have been arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide, it is imperative that you retain an aggressive and highly skilled Alabama criminal defense attorney to help strategize your defense.
With over 35 years of extensive experience, Attorney Yancey Burnett has the skill and diligence to defend and represent clients in their vehicular manslaughter cases. As your legal counsel, Attorney Burnett will investigate every aspect of your case and craft a solid defense strategy to help fight your charges. In addition, he will fight aggressively to uphold your freedom and help keep your record as clean as possible.
Burnett Law Firm proudly represents clients across Baldwin County and Mobile County, Alabama, including communities such as Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Bay Minette, Mobile, Prichard, Saraland, and Semmes.
Vehicular Manslaughter in Alabama
Vehicular manslaughter is a crime that occurs when a person causes someone else’s death due to the illegal or negligent operation of a motor vehicle. In Alabama, deaths from reckless or negligent driving are typically charged as manslaughter if the person recklessly causes the death of another, or as criminally negligent homicide if the death is caused by criminal negligence. Alabama law also defines “person” for homicide offenses to include an unborn child in utero at any stage of development. This means a death caused by reckless or negligent vehicle operation can apply to a human being or an unborn child.
Examples of Vehicular Manslaughter
Here are some common examples of conducts, actions, and incidents that could result in vehicular homicide charges:
- Driving recklessly and killing a person
- Killing a person while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Committing a traffic violation and killing a person
- Texting while driving and killing someone
- Running a stop sign and killing someone
- Excessive speeding and killing someone
- Scaring someone with aggressive driving which causes a serious shock, heart attack, and death
If you or someone you know has recently been arrested or indicted for vehicular homicide, you need to get in touch with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer immediately. Your legal counsel can educate you about the nature and severity of your charges and help determine your best defenses.
Elements Needed to Prove Vehicular Manslaughter
To establish vehicular homicide charges in Alabama, the prosecution attorney must prove the following elements:
- A person or an unborn child died in a motor vehicle crash.
- The defendant operated the car, which caused the accident or death.
- The defendant acted recklessly or operated the motor vehicle in a reckless manner.
An experienced Alabama vehicular manslaughter defense attorney can evaluate all of the facts of your case and fully explain the possible penalties and long-term consequences of a conviction.
Protect Your Rights and Your Life
Possible Penalties of Vehicular Manslaughter
Unfortunately, crimes involving the loss of life are often punished severely in Alabama. If convicted of vehicular homicide charges, the defendant may face any of these penalties and ramifications:
- Massive fines and court fees
- Lengthy prison sentence (ranging from months, years, or decades)
- Restitution to the victim’s family
- A criminal record/history
- Increased difficulty in securing employment, scholarship, and accommodation
- Loss of rights to carry, own, or possess firearms
- Increased difficulty in getting government assistance
- Loss of voting rights
- Ineligibility to obtain certain financial loans
- Increased difficulty in getting government assistance
- Loss of driving privileges
- Deterioration of professional and personal relationships
A seasoned attorney can investigate every detail of your case and determine the best legal defenses to help you mitigate or prevent the far-reaching consequences of a criminal conviction.
A Strategic Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
The penalties and long-term consequences of vehicular manslaughter allegations are often devastating. If convicted, you may be subject to lengthy incarceration, hefty fines, a criminal record, loss of driving privileges, and other life-changing ramifications. However, defending your vehicular manslaughter charges without experienced guidance is never advisable. Therefore, when arrested for vehicular homicide, retaining a strategic criminal defense attorney is paramount to help build your defense.
Mr. Burnett is dedicated to offering outstanding legal services and protecting individuals facing vehicular manslaughter charges from the worst possible punishments. Using his in-depth knowledge, Attorney Yancey Burnett can guide you through every phase of the Alabama criminal justice system. He will fight aggressively to defend your rights and help you achieve the most favorable outcome for your unique situation
Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Attorney Serving Alabama
If you are facing vehicular manslaughter charges, get the guidance of criminal defense attorney Yancey Burnett. He can provide the skilled legal guidance and representation you need in your case. Burnett Law Firm is proud to serve clients across Baldwin County and Mobile County, Alabama, including communities such as Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Bay Minette, Mobile, Prichard, Saraland, and Semmes.