Vehicular Homicide Drunk Driving in Atlanta
For anyone involved in a car accident, they know it is a terrible experience. They can happen in a split second, and involve injuries and expensive car repairs. The cause is often disputed, with each side blaming the other for the accident. However, when someone dies in a car accident, even when fault is disputed, drivers can be held responsible for the person's death. Whether it was a pedestrian, another driver, or even a passenger in your own car, vehicular homicide can result in up to twenty years in prison.
Known as homicide by vehicle in Georgia, any person, who without malice aforethought, causes the death of another person through the violation of specific vehicle code violations can be convicted of vehicular homicide. It doesn't matter if you didn't intend to cause harm, or if you thought the other person was partly responsible for the accident, you can still be charged with homicide by vehicle.
The specific code violations which will lead to a first-degree homicide by vehicle charge where a person was killed, include: illegally overtaking a school bus; attempting to flee from a police officer; failing to stop after an accident; reckless driving; habitual violator driving on a revoked license; and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).
If you are charged with any of these violations, which caused the death of another person, you may be facing years in prison. A first-degree homicide by vehicle conviction can lead to 3 to 15 years in jail, and a three year driver's license suspension, without a limited driving permit. For a habitual violator driving on a revoked license, a conviction can include from 5 to 20 years in jail.
These penalties are just for the homicide charge. There may be other charges and penalties associated with other code violations. Even if another person is not killed, if they are seriously injured, you may still face up to 15 years in jail. Additionally, seperate charges will be applied for each person injured or killed.
For any other code violations that ended with the death of another, the driver could still be charged with second-degree vehicular homicide. This is only a misdemeanor charge, but could still result in up to a year in jail, and a fine of up to $1,000.
DUI and Vehicular Homicide Defense in Atlanta
Before you decide to accept a plea deal, or handle your own vehicular homicide defense, you need to know all the consequences that come with a felony conviction on your record. These are very serious charges, and could land you in jail for years. Before you make any decision, contact an Atlanta DUI lawyer to talk about your case. You may have a good chance to win your case, and not even realize it. If you or a loved one were arrested for driving under the influence in Atlanta that ended in vehicular homicide, call me anytime, and I will make sure you are treated fairly by the courts and work to keep you out of jail.