Wellington Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer

Vehicular Manslaughter Attorney in Wellington, FL

Being involved in any car accident that results in death is a tragedy. However, when these cases lead to criminal charges, such as vehicular manslaughter, the stakes truly rise. You might have been driving home along Wellington Trace and struck a pedestrian. Maybe you have been accused of drunk driving near Margate Park and causing the death of another driver. No matter what the allegations are, you need to hire an experienced and aggressive Wellington, FL, vehicular manslaughter lawyer.

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The Law Offices of Julian M. Kessel: The Bull and the Train

For over half-decade, our attorney, Julian M. Kessel, has been fighting for the rights of his clients. He has garnered a reputation as “the Bull” or “the Train” for his ability to fight and not back down when defending his clients. Attorney Kessel is a member of both the Florida Bar Association and Lawyers of Distinction. He can challenge the state’s position on any possible criminal charge, including that of vehicular manslaughter. Let him take up your case and defend you.

Defending Vehicular Manslaughter Cases in Wellington, FL

In Wellington, an individual can be charged with vehicular manslaughter if they are believed to have killed another human being or any unborn child by operating their vehicle in a reckless way. Reckless driving involves operating a vehicle in a way that can cause death or severe bodily damage. For a vehicular manslaughter conviction to be successful, however, the prosecution must prove the following three elements:

• You, as the defendant, were operating the motor vehicle.
• Your operation of that vehicle was provably reckless in nature.
• This recklessness caused the death of another human being or an unborn child.

In these cases, Florida’s vehicular manslaughter laws require recklessness to be proven as being more than just negligence. It needs to include some behavior deemed as the willful disregard for the safety of any other individuals or property nearby. There are several common causes of vehicular manslaughter in Wellington, including:

• Reckless driving. In Florida, reckless driving takes place when an individual operates their vehicle with no regard to how their actions may pose a risk to others. This can occur through speeding significantly over the posted limit. In 2023 alone, speeding caused over 11,700 fatalities nationwide.
• Distracted driving. In Florida, it is illegal to text and drive. This action can cause an individual to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road. This has the potential to result in death or serious bodily injury. In 2023, 3,275 people were killed because of distracted driving in the U.S. 
• Certain traffic violations. Sometimes, an individual violates certain traffic laws, such as running red lights or stop signs. They may also be trying to evade police officers. This can contribute to fatal car accidents and charges of vehicular manslaughter.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Every day in the United States, 32 people are killed by drunk drivers. When an individual operates their car under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not only can they face DUI charges and penalties, but they can also increase their chances of causing a fatal car accident. If they do cause such an accident, they could be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

Whatever situation caused your charges of vehicular manslaughter, you need to contact a Wellington vehicular manslaughter attorney as soon as possible. These are serious legal cases and should not be dealt with on your own. The legal and personal consequences for vehicular manslaughter are severe in Florida. Without the representation of an aggressive and bold legal advocate, your life, as you know it, may be over.

Penalties for Vehicular Manslaughter

If you are successfully convicted of vehicular manslaughter in Florida, the penalties you might face can vary. In most cases, vehicular manslaughter will be charged as a second-degree felony. However, if certain circumstances are involved, these charges can be elevated to a first-degree felony. Vehicular manslaughter penalties include the following:

• Second-degree felony. When charged with a second-degree felony for vehicular manslaughter, you typically face up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a fine totaling upward of $10,000.
• First-degree felony. In some cases of vehicular manslaughter, the defendant did not provide aid or information as required by law at the accident scene. These individuals can face a first-degree felony charge. This can result in penalties of up to 30 years of probation, 30 years of prison time, and fines totaling $10,000.

Depending on your case, the courts may also impose penalties such as:

• The suspension of your driver’s license
• Restitution payments made to the victim’s family
• Mandatory community service orders

Defending Against Florida Vehicular Manslaughter Charges

When you work with Julian M. Kessel, he can review all the details of your case, gather evidence that can be used in your defense, and call up witnesses who can provide necessary support for your defense. Common defense strategies for vehicular manslaughter include:

• Mechanical failure. Your attorney can work to prove that your vehicle suffered a mechanical failure, which led to the accident. Julian M. Kessel has a retired traffic homicide investigator instructor and a crash reconstructionist in his network.
• Medical emergency. If you experienced a sudden medical emergency, such as a seizure, heart attack, or stroke, this can explain how you lost control of your vehicle and caused the accident. Julian M. Kessel has developed a strategy using this type of defense before.
• Lack of recklessness. Your attorney could show that your driving was not intentionally reckless in any way.
• Presence of an intervening cause. Your defense attorney can work to prove that the accident and death of the victim were caused by an intervening event, which had nothing to do with your behavior or ability to drive. Examples can include weather-related road conditions or sudden obstacles in the roadway.

Hire a Vehicular Manslaughter Lawyer Today

Charges of vehicular manslaughter are serious, and you need to hire a vehicular manslaughter lawyer who is not afraid of fighting in your defense. Julian M. Kessel offers his clients a competitive advantage. He can walk boldly into any courtroom or negotiation table, with your rights at the forefront of his mind. He has the skills necessary to get your charges reduced or dropped entirely. When you need an aggressive, passionate, and zealous lawyer, call us.

Contact The Law Offices of Julian M. Kessel today to schedule your initial consultation.