Maryland Automotive Manslaughter Defense Attorney

Experienced Lawyers for Automotive Manslaughter Charges in Maryland

If you have been accused of causing somebody's death in a car accident, you may be reeling from shock. On top of that, you may be under pressure from prosecutors and law enforcement to admit your guilt. It is important to remember that you have the right to be represented by an attorney, and you should speak to a lawyer before you make any statements to police or speak to them at all about the case. Even if you are just trying to explain what happened, your words could be used against you to charge you with a serious crime. A criminal law attorney can defend you against charges of automotive manslaughter, helping you to protect your rights and defend against a conviction.

Accusations of manslaughter are incredibly serious. If convicted, you could be sentenced to years behind bars, and you will have a permanent criminal record. At Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC, we can help you determine the best strategy as you address these charges. By securing representation from us immediately, we can take action to protect you against potential incrimination, and we can help you determine the best ways to defend yourself. We will work to have the charges against you dismissed or secure an acquittal whenever possible, but if necessary, we can negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or help you resolve your case with minimal penalties.

What Is Automotive Manslaughter?

While manslaughter is in the same category of crime as murder, it generally refers to a killing that does not involve the degree of intent required for a first-degree or second-degree murder charge. Manslaughter may be charged in situations involving accidental deaths that occurred because of negligence or recklessness. You could be charged with vehicular manslaughter if you are accused of causing the death of someone else through negligent driving. The penalties for this offense vary depending on the degree of negligence behind the act:

• Criminally Negligent Automotive Manslaughter: Criminal negligence refers to deviations from the acceptable standards of care when a person should have known the risks. Criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle or vessel (Maryland Code, Criminal Law Section 2-210) generally involves causing someone's death through driving in a reckless manner. This offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of three years in prison and/or a fine of $5,000. A second conviction may lead to a maximum sentence of five years and/or a $10,000 fine.
• Grossly Negligent Automotive Manslaughter: Gross negligence involves a reckless or wanton disregard for the safety of other people. The offense of manslaughter by vehicle or vessel (Maryland Code, Criminal Law Section 2-209) may apply if you are accused of driving a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, resulting in someone's death. If you are convicted of this felony offense, you could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $5,000. A second conviction may lead to a maximum sentence of 15 years and/or a fine of $10,000.

DUI Automotive Manslaughter

If you are accused of killing someone while driving under the influence, you may face charges of manslaughter by vehicle or vessel. The penalties that you may face for a vehicular manslaughter conviction may be added to the penalties for a DUI conviction. Because of the additional penalties that may apply in these situations, legal representation from our attorneys can be crucial.

Defenses Against Automotive Manslaughter Charges

One of the key elements in an automotive manslaughter charge is negligence. Therefore, if our attorneys can prove that your conduct was not negligent, we may be able to contest the charges against you and defend against a conviction.

For example, if you were accused of excessive speeding leading to a fatal car accident, we may review evidence such as the data from a GPS device you were using to show that you reasonably believed you were traveling below the speed limit. We may also be able to argue that the accident was unavoidable due to circumstances outside of your control, such as an unavoidable obstacle in the roadway. If the prosecution cannot prove that your conduct led to the victim's death, the charges against you could be reduced or dismissed.

Our attorneys will review your case closely to develop a strong legal strategy. If a dismissal or acquittal will not be possible, we can help you determine your options for negotiating a favorable plea deal. We have helped numerous clients reduce charges and penalties in the past. We can help you achieve an outcome that will minimize the ways your life will be affected.

Meet With a Maryland Automotive Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

Have you been charged with automotive manslaughter in Maryland? If so, Craig M. Kadish & Associates, LLC is ready to defend you. Our criminal defense attorneys can provide strong legal guidance and representation during your case, helping you achieve successful results and put this situation behind you. Call us at 410-837-0020 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation today.