Fighting Criminal Accusations of Unlawful Killing
If you have been charged with voluntary, involuntary or vehicular manslaughter in California, you could be facing some very serious penalties and other consequences, including a prison term of up to nine years, the loss of your job, and a permanent felony criminal record.
You need an experienced attorney who will protect your rights with integrity and compassion. San Mateo manslaughter defense lawyer Charles B. Smith, a former police officer and former prosecutor, can fight to help you avoid or reduce the consequences of your charges.
Understanding What a Manslaughter Charge Means for You
In California, manslaughter is legally defined as "the unlawful killing of a human being without malice." This last element is what sets it apart from murder. The following circumstances can make a killing unlawful without rising to the level of malice required for a murder conviction:
- Voluntary manslaughter: If you are accused of killing someone else in a sudden dispute, such as a bar fight or a fight that occurred immediately after you learned of an infidelity, you may be charged with voluntary manslaughter rather than murder.
- Involuntary manslaughter: If you are accused of acting negligently or recklessly, or committing a misdemeanor criminal offense, in a manner that unintentionally caused someone else's death, you may be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
- Vehicular manslaughter: If you are accused of causing someone else's death in a motor vehicle accident resulting from your violation of a traffic law, or negligent or reckless driving on your part, you may be charged with vehicular manslaughter.
If you are facing any type of manslaughter charge, Mr. Smith will carefully investigate the facts of your case, including the background of the victim and any evidence that you used reasonable force in self-defense. He will then aggressively defend you against the charges.
Call a San Francisco Homicide Defense Attorney at 650-425-7703
If you have been charged with manslaughter in California, it is important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 650-425-7703 or e-mail us. We accept credit cards, are available outside of regular business hours, and regularly visit our clients who are in jail.
