A charge of vehicular manslaughter can have a devastating effect on your life and your future. When they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, nobody expects to end up hurting someone or causing their death. Nobody would anticipate that they’d be involved in a fatal drunk driving accident. This type of thing is understandably an excruciatingly painful event for the victim’s family. It is also disastrous for the person who allegedly caused that death. Mistakes happen, poor judgment calls are made, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have rights.
In addition to the potential emotional distress, feelings of guilt and overall worry about what will happen in your life now that this has occurred, you will face many more challenges. You could face incarceration, loss of your driver’s license and very serious damage to your reputation. When impaired driving is involved, the repercussions can be even more severe. Being charged with vehicular homicide doesn’t mean the accused set out to hurt anyone. It means that someone was hurt as a result of negligence.
Even if this is your first offense, in many states such as Virginia, the courts seek harsh penalties for those accused and found guilty. You will be facing many hurdles that can be life-changing. However, there are resources available to you to help you cope with the mental health issues that may arise.
When you find yourself being charged with vehicular assault or homicide, you need to understand the charges against you, and have a good defense against them. Speaking with an attorney can help you do just that.