Whenever you get behind-the-wheel, you incur some degree of risk for yourself, your passengers, and others on the road. However, it is the driver’s responsibility to minimize this risk as much as possible by following the rules of the road. That’s why, if a motorist causes an accident that kills a person or an unborn child, they may be charged with what’s known as vehicular manslaughter. If you or a loved one has been arrested for this offense in Ohio, you should know about these charges and how a lawyer can help defend against them.

What Does Vehicular Manslaughter Mean?

Vehicular manslaughter refers to incidents where a driver unintentionally causes the death of another individual. While the driver did not intend to kill another person, they engaged in illegal actions that led to the death. For example, individuals who are driving beyond the speed limit, under the influence, without a license, or distracted at the time of the incident may be charged with vehicular manslaughter.    

What Are the Potential Consequences?

In Ohio, vehicular manslaughter is treated as a second-degree misdemeanor. If the defendant is found guilty, they can be sentenced to up to 90 days in prison. They may also have their license suspended anywhere between six months to three years.  

Keep in mind that the charge and the penalties may be increased if the defendant has a prior history of committing traffic offenses—such as one or more OVI arrests.  

What Are Some Possible Defenses?

Individuals charged with vehicular manslaughter should hire a lawyer to defend their case in court. While each scenario is different, there are several ways that an attorney may argue that the charges are unfounded.

Sometimes, a defendant will be found not guilty if the cause of death was linked to something other than negligent or reckless driving.  An example of this would be if a driver were speeding at the time of the accident, but the death was actually linked to an inoperable traffic light.

Attorneys might also look at the circumstances of the arrest to invalidate the charge. For example, if the defendant was found to be driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, the lawyer may argue that law enforcement obtained that blood alcohol reading illegitimately.

When you or a loved one faces vehicular manslaughter charges in Ohio, David S. Washington, Jr. is here to provide legal representation. Serving as a criminal defense attorney in Hamilton, OH, attorney Washington is well-versed in all state traffic laws and how they apply to vehicular manslaughter. With his insight, he will build a strong case designed to protect your rights in a court of law. To learn more about this Butler County attorney, visit the law office online. If you’d like to discuss your case, call (513) 751-1400 to schedule a confidential consultation.