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Dallas Lawyer » Arrested For Vehicular Manslaughter?

Important! The most crucial advice that may be given to you prior to hiring a skilled vehicular manslaughter lawyer would be to exercise your right to remain silent. Do not throw yourself under the bus by attempting to explain what actually transpired to the wrong people. Vehicular manslaughter is known as a charge brought against anyone who drives a vehicle and unintentionally kills another individual. Vehicular manslaughter is the crime of causing the death of a human being because of the illegal driving of a car, including gross negligence, driving under the influence, reckless driving or exceeding the speed limit.

Dallas Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer

Dallas Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer: The Charles Johnson Law Firm

Vehicular manslaughter can be charged as a misdemeanor (minor crime having a maximum punishment of a 12 months in county jail or only a fine) or a felony punishable by a term in state prison, depending on the circumstances. Gross negligence or driving a few miles over the posted speed limit might be charged as misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, but driving while intoxicated resulting in a death is most likely viewed as felony vehicular manslaughter. Death of a passenger, including a family member or friend, can be vehicular manslaughter if caused by illegal driving.

The penalties for a conviction on a vehicular manslaughter charge can range from imprisonment, probation or parole, loss of driving privileges, steep fines, or other punishment. A vehicular manslaughter sentence may vary on the severity of the damages caused by the actual accident.

Sentencing for vehicular manslaughter is going to be dependent on several factors relating to the criminal history of the charged and other sociological factors. Prior prosecutions or similar convictions with regard to vehicular manslaughter, being presently on probation or parole are all criminal background factors that can weigh on the sentence for vehicular manslaughter. Sociological factors like the attitude of the community and court toward this sort of crime, amount of media attention on the case, extenuating circumstances, as well as whether the accident was drug or alcohol related can impact the sentencing for a vehicular manslaughter case.

The defense for a vehicular manslaughter case can mean the primary difference between a suspended sentence or a lengthy jail term. Defenses for any vehicular manslaughter charge range from a not at fault or lack of negligence defense, inadequate evidence, factual innocence, or other defenses depending on the information on the case. Before choosing a defense you need to have already chosen an experienced vehicular manslaughter lawyer.

An experienced vehicular manslaughter attorney will help you with the early preparation of the case, including legal research and defense strategy. Attorney Charles Johnson can interview witnesses, law enforcement, and the prosecutor to minimize or perhaps have the case eliminated. Attorney Johnson can also help reduce bail requirements, work out alternatives for example counseling instead of a jail sentence, and even have the case dismissed. If you are being charged with vehicular manslaughter you simply can’t afford to take this case all on your own or with a public defender for that matter. You need an experienced vehicular manslaughter lawyer, and you needed one yesterday.

Dallas Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Lawyer: The Charles Johnson Law Firm

If you have been in an automobile accident and arrested for vehicular manslaughter, intoxicated manslaughter or intoxicated assault, you can expect the District Attorney’s office to take the case very seriously. In Texas, prosecutors work hard to seek convictions as well as prison time for felony charges involving vehicular manslaughter or assault — particularly if it is alleged that you were drunk at the time of the accident.

Do Defendants Have The Same Rights When Facing Misdemeanor And Felony Charges?

A defendant charged with a misdemeanor has fewer legal rights than a defendant charged with a felony. If the defendant will not face imprisonment as a result of conviction, he has no right to an attorney. There is no right to indictment by grand jury, or to a “preliminary examination” to review the basis of the charges filed. In some states, misdemeanor charges are tried before six person juries, whereas felonies are ordinarily tried before twelve person juries. Most other rights are the same, for both felonies and misdemeanors.At the Charles Johnson Law Firm, we provide a free consultation to anyone charged with a crime. You should take advantage of that free consultation immediately. Having an attorney is so important to successfully getting through the criminal process. Get a free initial consultation by calling Dallas Criminal Defense Attorney Johnson now at 214-234-0111, 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.

Do Defendants Have The Same Rights When Facing Misdemeanor And Felony Charges?

A defendant charged with a misdemeanor has fewer legal rights than a defendant charged with a felony. If the defendant will not face imprisonment as a result of conviction, he has no right to an attorney. There is no right to indictment by grand jury, or to a “preliminary examination” to review the basis of the charges filed. In some states, misdemeanor charges are tried before six person juries, whereas felonies are ordinarily tried before twelve person juries. Most other rights are the same, for both felonies and misdemeanors.At the Charles Johnson Law Firm, we provide a free consultation to anyone charged with a crime. You should take advantage of that free consultation immediately. Having an attorney is so important to successfully getting through the criminal process. Get a free initial consultation by calling Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Johnson now at 713-272-4586, 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.

What Can The Police Charge Me With?

A person who has been stopped by the police may be ticketed for a “civil infraction,” may be ticketed or arrested for a “petty offense” or “misdemeanor,” or may be arrested for a “felony,” or may be released. It is possible for the person to later be charged, when the police complete their investigation.Sometimes, the person will be informed that charges have been filed, and will be asked to present himself at the police station by a particular date and time.At other times, a “warrant” for the person’s arrest may be entered into the state’s computer system, informing police officers to arrest the person if they find him. If the charges are serious, the police may go out to arrest the person.

Civil Infractions

A “civil infraction” is not a crime, although it is a charge filed by the state. The state has to prove that you committed a civil infraction by a “preponderance of the evidence,” which is to say; that it is more likely than not that you committed the violation. This is a much lower standard than the “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” standard that applies in civil cases. The typical civil infraction is decided by a judge or magistrate, without a jury, in what is typically a short proceeding.

Petty Offenses

Some states have a class of “petty offenses,” where the defendant may be tried without a jury before a judge or magistrate. Typically, the only punishment for a “petty offense” is a fine. However, these offenses may be of a criminal nature. If you are not sure whether you are charged with a criminal offense or a civil infraction, consult a lawyer.

Misdemeanors

A “misdemeanor” is a criminal offense, and conviction ordinarily results in a criminal record. Misdemeanors are technically less serious offenses, although the consequences of conviction can nonetheless be quite severe. Possible punishments for misdemeanors include imprisonment, probation, fines, and at times driver’s license sanctions. Some misdemeanors are classified as “sex crimes” and require that a convicted person be registered as a “sex offender”, and keep the police informed of his place of residence — a requirement that may continue for life.

Felonies

Felonies are the most serious offenses that can be charged. Sometimes, the distinction between “felonies” and “misdemeanors” seems arbitrary. However, all of the most serious criminal offenses (such as murder, sexual assault, embezzlement, burglary, robbery, arson, and treason) are felonies.

If you or someone in your family has been arrested, you probably aren’t sure where to turn or what to do next. While the arrest itself is a daunting situation, you can do several things right away to gain information and control. A positive first step is to contact the Charles Johnson Law Firm.  Attorney Johnson will guide you through the complicated maze of the justice system.

How Are Criminal Charges Filed?

Criminal proceedings take place in a series of stages. Usually, the police are responding to a citizen’s complaint that a crime has been committed. Sometimes, the police observe suspicious activity. Once they are called, or see something suspicious, the police investigate, take statements from witnesses, and prepare a report on their findings. At times, they will arrest people during the course of their investigation. At other times, they will complete their report and submit it to the prosecutor’s office for evaluation, and a prosecutor will decide whether charges should be filed against any suspects named in the police report.The exact procedure for how charges are filed varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions give the police greater discretion in charging defendants with specific crimes, while others place more power with the prosecutor’s office. After being stopped by the police, a person may be ticketed for a “civil infraction,” may be ticketed or arrested for a “misdemeanor,” or may be arrested for a “felony.”While it is common to speak in terms of being “charged by the police,” in many states this is not entirely accurate. The exact procedure for how charges are filed varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and, although the police may arrest a person and may recommend a specific charge, in many jurisdictions criminal charges is chosen solely by the prosecutor’s office.
Charles Johnson Law Firm, Houston Criminal Defense

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