On What Factors Can You Be Sentenced in a Vehicular Homicide Case?
Vehicular homicides are looked upon as serious offenses in Pennsylvania and carry life-altering consequences. What’s more surprising is that such tragic mishaps are more common than you think.
So, if you are facing charges for vehicular homicide or DUI vehicular homicide, it’s better to seek counsel from a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer immediately. These professionals are well-aware of the law and can help reduce your sentences and protect your rights.
However, there are certain factors based on which you can be sentenced in case of vehicular homicide. What are they?
Well, let’s explore the blog till the end to find out.
Charges and Penalties for Vehicular Homicides in PA
Before plugging into the sentencing factors, let’s take a look at the various charges and penalties that come along with vehicular homicide cases.
Homicide by vehicle
A homicide by vehicle occurs when you are negligent while driving and cause the unintentional death of another person. For instance, if you drive in the wrong lane on a one-way street and cause a head-on collision with a vehicle, which leads to the death of the other driver, it gets classified as a vehicular homicide.
Charges and penalties
In this case, you are most likely to face the following consequences-
- A third-degree felony charge.
- Up to 7 years of incarceration.
- $15,000 fine.
- Suspension of the driver’s license for 3 years.
Homicide by vehicle with DUI
A DUI vehicular homicide refers to a situation where you cause someone’s death while you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such cases carry more serious charges than a general vehicular homicide case! And the rule stays the same even for first-time DUI offenders!
Charges and penalties
You will be facing the following consequences in case of a vehicular homicide with DUI-
- A second-degree felony charge.
- Minimum imprisonment of 3 years, which extends up to 10 years for each homicide charge.
- $25,000 fine for each victim.
- Suspension of the driver’s license for 3 or more years.
If you are the sole bread-winner of your family, a conviction in either of these cases might be life-altering for you! So, it is best to have a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer by your side to make sure that the legal complexities are handled effectively, and that your name doesn’t get etched on the permanent criminal records list!
What are the Sentencing Factors?
Just in case you are facing charges for vehicular homicide, here are some of the factors that can influence your sentence
Prior criminal record
If you have no convictions, it might reduce your sentence. However, if you had prior records of DUI or reckless driving, it might worsen your sentence!
Your age
If you are a juvenile, your sentence can be lighter than an adult.
Whether you were intoxicated or not
If the blood or chemical test shows that you weren’t intoxicated at the time of the accident, the consequences might be less harsh.
Pre-sentencing letters
If your family members or friends send pre-sentencing letters on your behalf, stating the positives of your character, it might reduce your sentence.
No matter what you do, remember that only an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can navigate the complexities and help to mitigate the charges and secure a favorable sentence. So, if you were involved in such a situation, call us at 412-387-6901 at the earliest hour possible.