Ventura DUI Manslaughter Defense Lawyer

DUI manslaughter, or "Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated," is a felony in California.  Dui manslaughter can result in up to 10 years in state prison. If you have prior DUI convictions you can see 15 years to life.

This is a serious offense with harsh consequences - you need a serious experienced DUI lawyer to defend you. The charge of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is limited to driving under the influence and committing an action that is likely to result in the death of another.

DUI Manslaughter(Penal Code 191.5(a)) - "Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated"

To be convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated certain facts must be proved by the prosecution:

  • You were driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
  • When driving under the influence you committed an additional wrongful act that might cause death - a wrongful act can be a misdemeanor, an infraction or lawful act that might death
  • This additional wrongful act was committed with gross negligence
  • The grossly negligent act caused the death of another person
Gross negligence factors include but are not limited to:
  • DUI at high speeds
  • Erratic driving patterns
  • No signaling, braking or slowing
  • Dangerous lane changes
  • Ignoring passenger's pleas to slow down or drive carefully
  • Failure to ensure that seat belts are used by passengers
  • Crossing over double yellow line to pass other cars

Any of these factors can contribute to a death caused by reckless negligence and a conviction of DUI manslaughter. But there are defenses against a charge of DUI manslaughter. Charles L Cassy Attorney at Law will investigate the facts of your case in order to fight the underlying DUI. We will analyze the evidence, challenge chemical testing and expose any possible misconduct in the police investigation and arrest, do accident reconstruction if necessary and examine any circumstances that may have been beyond your control that affected the accident.

DUI Manslaughter Penalties:

  • 4,6, or 10 years in CA state prison
  • 15 years to life if you have a prior DUI manslaughter conviction or 2 or more prior DUI convictions
  • Additional and consecutive 3 to 6 year prison terms if there are any surviving victims who suffered great bodily harm
  • License restrictions or suspension
  • Car insurance restrictions
  • A "strike" on your criminal record pursuant to California's Three Strikes Law

Possible probation conditions according to California probation law:

  • $10,000 maximum fine
  • Victim restitution
  • Driver's license restrictions or suspensions
  • Enroll in a CA DUI school
  • Community service

Retain Charles L Cassy Attorney at Law because Experience Matters

Contact Charles L Cassy Attorney at Law immediately upon being investigated or charged with any BUI charge. We have over thirty years experience in defending these cases. We will put our expertise to work for you.

Charles L Cassy Attorney at Law

Has More Not Guilty Verdicts Than Any Other Law Firm in Ventura County.

Charles L Cassy Attorney at Law

Serves Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Diego Counties.

Call us at 805-642-0392