The Potential Penalties for Vehicular Homicide in Maryland

The Consequences of Killing Someone in a Car Accident

The Potential Penalties for Vehicular Homicide in MarylandUnder Maryland law, you can be prosecuted for vehicular homicide as a consequence of four different events:

  • Manslaughter by vehicle—A felony, this charge involves a traffic death resulting from gross negligence. Potential sanctions include up to 10 years in prison, as well as up to $5,000 in fines. If you have prior convictions for homicide or vehicular homicide, the prison term can be extended to 15 years and the fines can be doubled.
  • Criminally negligent manslaughter—This is generally charged as a misdemeanor offense, but can result in a three-year-prison term, as well as $5,000 in fines. A prior conviction can change the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, with the potential for 5 years of incarceration and $10,000 in fines.
  • Homicide by motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol—Another felony, this can bring a 5-year-prison-term for first time offenders, as well as $5,000 in fines. A second prosecution may cause the penalties to be doubled.
  • Vehicular homicide while impaired by drugs, alcohol or a controlled substance—Also a felony, this crime can lead to 3-5 years in prison, as well as $5,000-$10,000 in fines, based on the number of prior convictions.

Aggressive Baltimore DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith brings more than three decades of proven experience to criminal defendants across the Baltimore metropolitan area and the state of Maryland, including people charged with violent crimes. He has been received an AV-rating (the highest rating possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System from his colleagues in the Maryland bar for more than 34 years. He has been ranked among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland listed by SuperLawyers and was named a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine. He has also earned Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, awarded to less than 4% of all lawyers nationwide.

Over the past 30 years, attorney Smith has successfully protected the rights of individuals facing all types of criminal charges, including prosecution for domestic violence or abuse. He will work hard to protect your constitutional rights, fully investigating your case to verify that law enforcement officers and prosecutors follow proper procedures when gathering evidence. He’ll question all potential witnesses and preserve all relevant evidence, so that he can prepare and present the most compelling arguments for your acquittal.

Attorney Smith has been listed among the top 100 attorneys in Maryland by the National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization. He holds a 10.0 (Superb) rating as a trial attorney from AVVO, as well as AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award, with an average client review of 5 stars.

Aggressive Montgomery County Vehicular Homicide Defense Attorney

Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 for a free initial consultation. We represent criminal defendants in Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Can You Be Prosecuted for Causing a Car Accident?

Are There Criminal Penalties Related to Motor Vehicle Collisions?

Can You Be Prosecuted for Causing a Car Accident?You ran a red light or a stop sign and caused an automobile accident. As a consequence of the accident, another person suffered a serious injury or may have died. Can you face criminal charges in Maryland because of a car wreck?

The Potential Criminal Consequences of a Motor Vehicle Accident

If you violated traffic laws and caused an accident, you can face prosecution for those traffic offenses.

In addition, if you wrongfully leave the scene of an accident, you can face criminal charges. Under Maryland statute, a person who leaves the scene of an accident after causing serious bodily injury can be charged with a felony, subject to up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. If the accident caused a fatality, the penalties may potentially be doubled.

Maryland also identifies four kinds of vehicular homicide:

  • Manslaughter by a vehicle for causing the death of another person while driving with gross negligence
  • Negligent manslaughter, for causing a fatal traffic accident through conduct that posed a substantial and unjustifiable risk to human life
  • Vehicular homicide for killing someone in a motor vehicle accident while driving with a blood alcohol content in excess of .08 (8 percent)
  • Impaired vehicular homicide for killing someone on a car accident because your coordination was compromised by drugs, alcohol or a controlled substance

Proven Maryland Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has protected the rights of criminal defendants in Maryland for more than 30 years, including people charged with misdemeanors or felonies. SuperLawyers has named him one of the top 100 lawyers in Maryland and The American Lawyer Magazine has also cited him as a Top-Rated Lawyer.

Attorney Smith has been AV-rated (the highest possible) by his colleagues in the legal profession under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System for more than three decades. He has also received Martindale-Hubbell’s prized Client Distinction Award, an accolade earned by less than 4% of all attorneys nationwide. He carries a 10.0 (Superb rating) as a trial lawyer from AVVO and has also earned AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award, with an average client review of 5 stars.

A highly-regarded trial attorney, Jonathan has an extensive knowledge and understanding of Maryland criminal law and procedure. He knows how to effectively gather and preserve evidence and will take all necessary measures to ensure that law enforcement officers did not violate your constitutional rights.

Contact a Proven Maryland DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer

At the law offices of Jonathan Scott Smith, we aggressively advocate for criminal defendants throughout the greater Baltimore area and across the state of Maryland. Contact us online or call 410-740-0101 to arrange a meeting. We handle cases throughout Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

ADDRESS :

  • Jonathan Scott Smith 10490 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 200 ,Columbia, MD 21044-4960

  • Call for consultation 410-740-0101