Car accidents happen on a daily basis, and they can sometimes lead to the death or serious bodily injury of someone else. If you have been charged with vehicular manslaughter in Texas, you could face serious penalties if you’re convicted. You could face prison time, fines, or a suspension of your driver’s license. You could even lose your ability to vote, hold public office, pursue certain professional occupations, or participate in certain educational opportunities.
According to Texas Law, you can be charged with vehicular manslaughter if you cause the death of someone else while you’re operating a motor vehicle or if you have committed any of the following offenses:
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI).
- Reckless driving.
- Racing on a highway.
- Negligent driving.
- Manslaughter.
Even if you didn’t intentionally cause the death of another person while you were driving your car, you can still be charged with vehicular manslaughter in Texas. That’s why you need the help of a qualified attorney.
Definition of Vehicular Manslaughter in Texas
While there isn’t a specific statute that defines vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide, you can still be charged for this offense in a number of ways. Some of them can include but, may not be limited to:
- Vehicular Manslaughter — If you recklessly cause the death of someone else, you can be charged with manslaughter. If you operated a motor vehicle at the same time, you can be charged with vehicular manslaughter in Texas and is usually classified as a second-degree felony.
- Criminally Negligent Homicide — You can also be charged with vehicular manslaughter in Texas if you operated a car with criminal negligence and caused the death of someone else. This kind of offense is typically classified as a state jail felony.
- Racing on a Highway — If you participated in a race, a vehicle speed competition, a contest, a drag race, an acceleration contest, a test of the vehicle’s endurance, or an attempt to make a specific speeding record while causing the death of someone else, you can be charged with vehicular manslaughter in Texas.
- Driving with a Suspended License — If you caused someone else’s death while operating a motor vehicle without a valid license or without proper liability insurance, you can be charged with vehicular manslaughter in Texas and will typically be classified as a Class A misdemeanor.
Be sure to speak to a qualified attorney for more information.
Similar Offenses to Vehicular Manslaughter in Texas
Here are some similar offenses to vehicular manslaughter in the State of Texas:
- Intoxication Manslaughter — If you operated motor vehicle while you were under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and caused the death of someone else, you can be charged with this type of offense. It’s usually classified as a second-degree felony, but it can be considered a first-degree felony if the victim is a firefighter, an emergency medical services professional, or a peace officer.
- Intoxication Assault — If you operated a motor vehicle while you were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and caused someone to become seriously injured, you can be charged with this offense and is usually considered to be a third-degree felony. It can, however, increase to a second-degree felony if the victim was a firefighter, a peace officer, or a professional providing emergency services.
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident — If you don’t immediately stop at the scene of an accident and caused the death or injury of another person, you can be charged with this offense and is usually classified as a third-degree felony.
Be sure to speak to a qualified attorney for more information.
Penalties for Vehicular Manslaughter in Texas
Vehicular manslaughter in Texas can lead to the following penalties listed in Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code:
- Class A Misdemeanor — Can lead to a jail sentence of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
- State Jail Felony — Can lead to a sentence in a state jail from 180 days to two years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
- Third-Degree Felony — Can lead to a prison sentence of 2-10 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
- Second-Degree Felony — Can lead to a prison sentence of 2-20 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
- First-Degree Felony — Can lead to a prison sentence of 5-99 years, life imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
If you’re looking for the best criminal defense attorney in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Gale Law Group.