When it comes to crimes involving the taking of a life, manslaughter charges are generally at the bottom in terms of seriousness. Does that mean that you do not need an attorney? On the contrary. It means you need an experienced attorney who will fight tirelessly to ensure that your rights are respected and your case is handled with the goal of the best possible outcome.
If you have been charged with manslaughter, or you have discovered that you are a suspect in a manslaughter case, then it is time to contact an attorney. Keep reading to find out why Chambers Law Firm is the right choice and then contact us at 714-760-4088 for a consultation.
There are many types of manslaughter charges and we can help with them all
Manslaughter is actually a very general term that covers unlawfully killing a person. It does not involve premeditation, deliberation, or malice aforethought. As a result, is essential to establish the state of mind of the defendant in order to prove that a crime qualifies as manslaughter and not a murder charge.
In California, there is no singular charge for manslaughter. A person who is accused of taking a person’s life without malice aforethought is likely to be charged with one of the following:
- Involuntary manslaughter. This involves killing a person while committing another crime. The person’s death must not have been intentional, and the crime committed cannot have been a dangerous felony. Involuntary manslaughter involves a person acting with criminal negligence – not just a person being careless. The person must have knowingly acted in a reckless way that they knew created a situation that could lead to death or catastrophic injury for another person.
- Voluntary manslaughter. This charge involves a killing that was the result of an intention act but for which the defendant did not have premeditation. Put simply, it is a killing that was committed on purpose but in the heat of the moment and after some type of situation in which the defendant’s judgment was obscured by extreme emotion.
- Vehicular manslaughter. If the manslaughter was committed while driving a car then it can be charged as vehicular manslaughter. The defendant must have committed an infraction, misdemeanor, or even a lawful act that was dangerous in the specific situation in which it was committed.
These are the general types of manslaughter that can be charged. If you have been accused of or charged with any of them then you should contact an attorney right away. It is easy to request a free consultation from Chambers Law Firm: Just call us at 714-760-4088 right now.
