Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Attorney in Pensacola, Florida 

According to statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 191 total fatalities from impaired driving crashes statewide in 2022. In Florida, a person could be facing vehicular manslaughter or homicide charges for causing another person’s death while operating a motor vehicle negligently, such as driving impaired or violating a traffic law. 

Unfortunately, a vehicular manslaughter conviction could jeopardize the defendant’s quality of life, personal reputation, career, and future. If you’ve been arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide, it is imperative that you retain an aggressive and highly-skilled Florida criminal defense attorney to help strategize your defense. 

With over 35 years of extensive experience, Attorney Tom McGuire has the skill and diligence to defend and represent clients in their vehicular manslaughter cases. As your legal counsel, Tom will investigate every aspect of your case and craft a solid defense strategy to help fight your charges. In addition, Attorney Tom McGuire will fight aggressively to uphold your freedom and help keep your record as clean as possible. 

Attorney McGuire proudly represents alleged defendants across Pensacola, Florida, and surrounding areas throughout Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties, including Crestview, Milton, and Fort Walton Beach. 

Vehicular Manslaughter in Florida 

Vehicular manslaughter is a crime which occurs when a person causes someone else’s death due to the illegal or negligent operation of a motor vehicle. According to Florida law, vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter can be described as the killing of a human being or an unborn child by an injury to the mother caused by recklessly operating a vehicle in a manner that will cause a serious injury, bodily harm, or death to another person. 

Examples of Vehicular Manslaughter 

Here are some common examples of conducts, actions, and incidents that could result in vehicular homicide charges: 

• Driving recklessly and killing a person 

• Killing a person while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol 

• Committing a traffic violation and killing a person 

• Texting while driving and killing someone 

• Running a stop sign and killing someone 

• Excessive speeding and killing someone 

• Scaring someone with aggressive driving which causes a serious shock, heart attack, and death 

If you or someone you know has recently been arrested or indicted for vehicular homicide, you need to get in touch with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer immediately. Your legal counsel can educate you about the nature and severity of your charges and help determine your best defenses. 

Elements Needed to Prove Vehicular Manslaughter 

To establish vehicular homicide charges in Florida, the prosecution attorney must prove the following elements: 

• A person or an unborn child died in a motor vehicle crash. 

• The defendant operated the car, which caused the accident or death. 

• The defendant acted recklessly or operated the motor vehicle in a reckless manner. 

An experienced Florida vehicular manslaughter defense attorney can evaluate all of the facts of your case and fully explain the possible penalties and long-term consequences of a conviction. 

Possible Penalties of Vehicular Manslaughter 

Unfortunately, crimes involving the loss of life are often punished severely in Florida. If convicted of vehicular homicide charges, the defendant may face any of these penalties and ramifications: 

• Massive fines and court fees 

• Lengthy prison sentence (ranging from months, years, or decades) 

• Restitution to the victim’s family 

• A criminal record/history 

• Increased difficulty in securing employment, scholarship, and accommodation 

• Loss of rights to carry, own, or possess firearms 

• Increased difficulty in getting government assistance 

• Loss of voting rights 

• Ineligibility to obtain certain financial loans 

• Loss of driving privileges 

• Deterioration of professional and personal relationships 

A seasoned attorney can investigate every detail of your case and determine the best legal defenses to help you mitigate or prevent the far-reaching consequences of a criminal conviction. 

A Strategic Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help 

The penalties and long-term consequences of vehicular manslaughter allegations are often devastating. If convicted, you may be subject to lengthy incarceration, hefty fines, a criminal record, loss of driving privileges, and other life-changing ramifications. However, defending your vehicular manslaughter charges without experienced guidance is never advisable. Therefore, when arrested for vehicular homicide, retaining a strategic criminal defense attorney is paramount to help build your defense. 

Mr. McGuire is dedicated to offering outstanding legal services and protecting individuals facing vehicular manslaughter charges from the worst possible punishments. Using his in-depth knowledge, Attorney Tom McGuire can guide you through every phase of the Florida criminal justice system. He will fight aggressively to defend your rights and help you achieve the most favorable outcome for your unique situation.