Legal Assistance For Manslaughter Charges
If you were allegedly driving under the influence in a car crash and someone died, you need an experienced intoxication manslaughter attorney team to fight for you. The police are saying that you were drunk, high on marijuana or using another drug. The prosecutors are charging you with intoxication manslaughter. They want to take away your rights, your job, your good name and, ultimately, your freedom.
Intoxication manslaughter is a serious felony criminal charge that can result in up to 20 years in prison in Texas. Even the lesser offense of intoxication assault, if someone was injured but did not die, can put you in prison for up to 10 years.
How Is Intoxication Manslaughter Defined In San Antonio?
Throughout Texas, including the San Antonio region, intoxication manslaughter is an aggressively prosecuted offense. It occurs when someone dies due to another operating a motor vehicle, boat, aircraft or even an amusement ride while impaired.
Intoxication manslaughter charges can arise when someone:
- Drives a motor vehicle in a public area, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride or sets up a mobile amusement ride while impaired.
- Is intoxicated, and as a result of that intoxication, unintentionally causes the death of another person by accident or mistake.
The charge can also arise in fatal incidents involving impairment by nonalcoholic substances or drugs.
The law recognizes the severe impact of such actions on victims’ families and communities, thus treating these cases with utmost gravity. It takes a solid defense strategy to prevent the worst outcome – a criminal conviction and decades of associated hardships.
Texas Intoxication Manslaughter Penalties
The penalties upon conviction for intoxication manslaughter in Texas are severe and can alter your entire life. Charged as a second-degree felony, the possible consequences if convicted can include:
- Prison sentence of up to 20 years
- Fines approaching $10,000
- Suspension or revocation of driving privileges
- Completion of alcohol education or rehabilitation programs
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Orders to pay restitution to surviving family members
- Participation in victim impact panels to grasp the consequences of the incident
The potential repercussions often extend beyond the individual, affecting their family members, career and educational opportunities. A conviction can also impact the defendant’s standing within the community.
What Is The Difference Between Intoxication Manslaughter And Intoxication Assault In Texas?
The main difference between these two distinct charges lies in the outcome of the incident. Intoxication manslaughter results in the death of another person, while intoxication assault involves causing serious bodily injury to another person.
Intoxication assault is classified as a third-degree felony in Texas. The possible penalties upon conviction include a prison sentence of 2 to 10 years and fines of up to $10,000. An intoxication assault charge can escalate to intoxication manslaughter if the injuries sustained in the incident lead to the victim’s death.
With the right attorney representation, you can defend yourself against conviction. A well-prepared defense can prevent conviction entirely, or lead to reduced charges and/or penalties.
When You Can’t Afford To Lose, You Have To Fight To Win
Any fatal accident involving allegations of intoxication, drunkenness or impairment due to drug use such as marijuana can result in a charge of intoxication manslaughter.
A conviction or guilty plea can mean the end of your life as you have known it. A felony conviction alone can make it impossible for you to get the job you want, live where you want or ever own a gun again.
Get an experienced Texas trial lawyer fighting on your side. Our team at Ramos & Del Cueto, understands how these cases work. We know the truth about intoxication manslaughter charges: If you can beat the intoxication element, you have won your case.
Contact An Attorney Immediately
If you were accused of causing a serious or fatal accident while driving drunk or high, you need an experienced team of intoxication manslaughter attorneys like ours. We will fight for you by presenting a thorough and persuasive argument to do everything we can to keep you out of prison. To discuss your case in a free and completely confidential consultation, please contact our office in San Antonio today by calling 210-761-6004.