Homicide by vehicle

In the state of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania code outlines a criminal offense called Homicide by Vehicle in section 3732. Homicide by vehicle is defined as a third degree felony, which means that you face a potential fine of up to $15,000 and a potential jail sentence of up to 7 years of incarceration.

Homicide by vehicle is, therefore, a very serious crime and a conviction could have a major impact on your life. Fortunately, you do have a legal right to defend yourself if you are accused of homicide by vehicle. The Pennsylvania criminal defense law firm of Lawrence R. Dworkin can help. We have represented many clients accused of homicide by vehicle and we can put our legal experience to work for you in helping you to achieve the most favorable possible outcome given the circumstances and evidence involved in your case.

Pennsylvania Laws on Homicide By Vehicle

Under the relevant Pennsylvania code section, homicide by vehicle is defined as:

• Recklessly or with gross negligence
• Causing the death of another person
• While violating Pennsylvania law or any municipal ordinance that applies to the operation of a vehicle

This means that homicide by vehicle charges can be brought not only in DUI cases but whenever you behave very recklessly behind the wheel and cause death as a result.

Because homicide by vehicle is a third degree felony, there is a good chance that you will get at least some jail time, even for a first offense. The law also stipulates that, in addition to other penalties you face, you will be subject to an additional term of up to five years of incarceration if the homicide by vehicle occurred in an active work zone. With the seven year maximum sentence provided by the law for homicide by vehicle, this theoretically means you could face up to 12 years of incarceration.

Getting Legal Help

While the consequences for homicide by vehicle are serious, it is important to remember that being arrested for or charged with a crime does not necessarily mean you will be convicted of that crime.

A criminal defense attorney who is representing you in your homicide by vehicle case may raise a number of defenses. For instance, in a DUI case, your attorney may argue that you were not drunk and not violating the law at the time that an accident occurred. Your attorney may also be able to keep some evidence out of court if your Constitutional rights were violated during the investigation, or may otherwise be able to help you take steps to introduce reasonable doubt into the prosecutor’s case so that you cannot be convicted.

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your chances of having the most favorable outcome when accused of homicide by vehicle. At the criminal defense law firm of Lawrence R. Dworkin, we want to put our experience with these types of cases to work for you. Contact us today at 610-357-3506 or using our online form to learn more about how we can help.