Will I Go To Jail For Vehicular Manslaughter In Orange County? (California Penal Code Section 192(c))
If you are involved in a car accident and someone dies as a result, you could face charges of vehicular manslaughter. This is a very serious crime, and it carries severe penalties. That is why you must understand the implications of this crime if you are charged with vehicular manslaughter in Orange County.
Vehicular manslaughter is defined under California Penal Code section 192(c) as driving a vehicle with ordinary negligence that results in the unlawful killing of a human being. If you are convicted of this crime, it could lead to a lengthy jail sentence and hefty fines. Below is a more detailed explanation of the levels of punishment for various categories of vehicular manslaughter.
Vehicular Manslaughter Sentencing
Under California Penal Code section 193, vehicular manslaughter is a “wobbler” offense, meaning you could be charged with misdemeanor or a felony if you are arrested for vehicular manslaughter. How you are sentenced will depend on the severity of your charge. How you will be charged for this crime will depend upon the facts of your individual case and your prior criminal history.
If you are charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, you could face up to one year in county jail.
If you are convicted of a felony for vehicular manslaughter, you could be sentenced to 2, 4 or 6 years in state prison.
There are also additional enhancements that could increase your sentence. For instance, an accident caused for financial gain that resulted in the death of another person is punishable by a sentence of 4, 6 or 10 years in state prison. Fleeing the scene after committing an act of vehicular manslaughter can result in an additional term of imprisonment of 5 years in state prison.
Reduced Sentencing for Vehicular Manslaughter
Even in cases where evidence of vehicular manslaughter is strong, an experienced criminal defense attorney can push for a substantially reduced sentence. In lieu of a lengthy jail sentence, the court may:
- Place you on probation and impose a sentence of up to one year in county jail
- Place you on probation with no jail time, but order you to do community service or a work release program
- Place you on formal probation and assign you a probation officer
However, this is not always an option. You need to speak to a skilled criminal defense attorney about your case to find out if your sentence could be reduced.
Orange County Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Attorney
The sentencing and punishment for vehicular manslaughter can change your life forever. That is why you need to contact an experienced vehicular manslaughter attorney right away if you are charged with this crime. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys will carefully review the facts of your case and the law to give you the best representation possible.
With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura, the attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been successfully defending clients facing vehicular manslaughter charges in Southern California for over 40 years. Call us for a free phone consultation today and we can help you, too.
If you are facing prosecution for vehicular manslaughter in Orange County, call our offices today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will get through this together.
