Coastal Virginia Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Attorneys

Fighting Against Accusations of Involuntary Manslaughter in Hampton Roads & Newport News

The potential conviction penalties for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol are harsh. The severity of those punishments may substantially increase if an accident causing serious injury or death results from intoxicated driving. If you've been accused of vehicular manslaughter or maiming, act quickly to get an attorney on your side who knows how to challenge the allegations. Having seasoned legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

At Tillotson & Martin, our practice focuses mainly on DUI matters. We went into this area of the law to help those charged with drinking and driving offenses. Our Coastal Virginia vehicular manslaughter attorneys genuinely care about protecting the rights and freedoms of the accused. We provide compassionate guidance from the beginning of the case until its conclusion. Leveraging our knowledge, skills, and resources, we build effective defenses, spot holes in the prosecutors' cases, and work relentlessly toward a favorable outcome. We have over 30 years of combined experience and know what it takes to effectively handle these types of cases. Our knowledge of DWI law is so robust that our team was asked to write the book judges, prosecutors, and other lawyers reference.

We are here to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed with your case. Call us at (757) 568-7978 today.

Virginia's Vehicular Manslaughter Law

In Virginia, if a person is driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and they unintentionally cause an accident that results in another person's death, they could be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Also referred to as vehicular manslaughter, this offense is charged as a Class 5 felony. If you are convicted, you could be facing between 1 and 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

The punishments for vehicular manslaughter increase if your conduct showed a “reckless disregard for human life.” Under these circumstances, the crime is referred to as aggravated involuntary manslaughter. It is also a felony-level offense and is punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment. Additionally, the judge must impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year.

Virginia's Law Concerning Maiming

Severe conviction penalties also arise in drinking and driving accidents that cause serious bodily injury to another person. Under Virginia law, this offense is referred to as maiming.

For you to be charged with maiming, you must have been driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and unintentionally seriously injured someone else. Additionally, your actions must have shown a "reckless disregard for human life."

Generally, maiming is a Class 6 felony. A conviction could result in imprisonment between 1 and 5 years. Additionally, the judge may impose a maximum fine of $2,500.

However, if the accident caused the other person to suffer "permanent and significant physical impairment," the charge elevates to a Class 4 felony. In this case, the potential conviction penalties include between 2 and 10 years incarceration and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

On Your Side Every Step of the Way

With vehicular manslaughter and maiming offenses carrying such harsh penalties, it's crucial to get aggressive defense from the start. At Tillotson & Martin, we know that the Commonwealth's Attorneys will attempt to do everything in their legal power to land a conviction. However, our Coastal Virginia lawyers don't back down from a challenge. We take them head-on and fight back against law enforcement officials, the Department of Forensic Science, and prosecutors. Armed with our knowledge and the facts of the case, we'll develop a strong defense on your behalf.

For the personalized representation you need, contact us at (757) 568-7978.