Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer Montgomery County, PA

Vehicular manslaughter in Pennsylvania — also called homicide by vehicle — occurs when a person causes the death of another while engaging in reckless or negligent driving or while violating the vehicle code. Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 3732, homicide by vehicle is a third-degree felony carrying up to seven years in prison. If the offense involves DUI, it is charged under § 3735 as homicide by vehicle while DUI — a second-degree felony with a mandatory minimum of three years in state prison per victim and a maximum of 10 years. A three-year license suspension applies to any vehicular manslaughter conviction in Pennsylvania.

If you’re facing vehicular manslaughter charges without skilled legal counsel, you may face harsher criminal penalties than you deserve. A vehicular manslaughter defense lawyer at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. can help you understand your legal options and work toward the most favorable outcome.

What Is Vehicular Manslaughter in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania recognizes two distinct criminal charges involving a vehicle-related death.

• Homicide by Vehicle (75 Pa. C.S. § 3732) — a third-degree felony that occurs when a person unintentionally causes another’s death by recklessly or negligently operating a vehicle while violating a traffic law; punishable by up to 7 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines
• Homicide by Vehicle While DUI (75 Pa. C.S. § 3735) — a second-degree felony that occurs when a person causes another’s death while driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance; carries a mandatory minimum of 3 years per victim and up to 10 years in prison, plus $25,000 in fines per victim

Note that multiple counts can be charged — one for each life lost. A three-year license suspension applies upon conviction for either offense.

What Is the Difference Between Homicide by Vehicle and Vehicular Manslaughter in PA?

In Pennsylvania, “vehicular manslaughter” and “homicide by vehicle” refer to the same category of offense. There is no separate “vehicular manslaughter” statute — the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code uses “homicide by vehicle” (§ 3732) for reckless or negligent driving deaths and “homicide by vehicle while DUI” (§ 3735) for DUI-related deaths. The key distinction is whether impairment was a factor, which determines whether the charge is a third-degree felony (non-DUI) or second-degree felony (DUI-related).

What Are the Consequences of Vehicular Manslaughter in Pennsylvania?

Under Title 75 Pa. C.S. § 3732, vehicular manslaughter is a felony offense with severe long-term consequences. The penalties depend on whether the offense involves a DUI enhancement and how many victims were involved.

• Homicide by Vehicle (non-DUI) — third-degree felony; up to 7 years in prison; up to $15,000 in fines; 3-year license suspension
• Homicide by Vehicle While DUI — second-degree felony; mandatory minimum 3 years per victim; up to 10 years per victim; $25,000 in fines per victim; 3-year license suspension

Challenging Vehicular Manslaughter Charges in PA

To obtain a conviction for Homicide by Vehicle, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt all four of the following elements.

1. You acted recklessly or with gross negligence
2. You caused a victim’s death
3. That death occurred while you violated a traffic law
4. Violating that traffic law directly caused the death

For Homicide by Vehicle While DUI, the prosecution must prove three elements beyond a reasonable doubt.

1. You were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
2. You caused a victim’s death
3. That death was a direct consequence of the DUI

Our experienced vehicular manslaughter attorneys investigate your case thoroughly to challenge these elements and assert that your actions were not reckless or grossly negligent. Our first goal is acquittal of all charges. If that is not feasible, we negotiate aggressively to reduce charges or secure alternatives to incarceration such as counseling or rehabilitation.

Talk to Experienced Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyers in Southeastern Pennsylvania

A conviction for vehicular manslaughter can lead to imprisonment, steep fines, a three-year license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., our vehicular manslaughter defense attorneys understand that good people can find themselves in devastating situations in an instant. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to protect your rights and pursue the most favorable outcome possible. For over 65 years, clients throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Southeastern Pennsylvania have trusted our firm with their most challenging legal matters. Schedule a free consultation by calling 215-822-7575 or completing a contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicular Manslaughter in Pennsylvania

What should I do if I am facing vehicular homicide charges in Montgomery County?

Seek the guidance of a vehicular homicide attorney immediately. These charges are a serious felony and carry severe penalties including long-term imprisonment and substantial fines. An experienced defense lawyer will evaluate the evidence, identify possible defenses, and work to achieve the most favorable outcome.

How can a vehicular homicide attorney help me with my case?

A vehicular homicide attorney investigates the facts of the accident, challenges the prosecution’s evidence, and identifies defenses such as lack of recklessness, causation disputes, or improper traffic stop procedures. A skilled attorney can work to reduce penalties or prevent conviction.

What are some possible defenses in a vehicular homicide case?

Common defenses include challenging whether your actions constituted recklessness or gross negligence, disputing causation between your conduct and the victim’s death, challenging the validity of field sobriety or chemical test results in DUI-related charges, and identifying procedural violations in how evidence was gathered.

What penalties could I face if convicted of vehicular homicide?

Homicide by Vehicle (non-DUI) carries up to 7 years in prison and $15,000 in fines as a third-degree felony. Homicide by Vehicle While DUI carries a mandatory minimum of 3 years and up to 10 years per victim, plus $25,000 per victim, as a second-degree felony. Both offenses carry a 3-year license suspension.