SEATTLE VEHICULAR ASSAULT AND VEHICULAR HOMICIDE ATTORNEYS – FREE CONSULTATIONS

EXPERIENCED DEFENSE FOR SERIOUS FELONY TRAFFIC CRIMES IN WASHINGTON

A vehicular assault or vehicular homicide charge is among the most serious criminal offenses a driver can face in Washington. These cases often arise from fatal or serious injury collisions and are aggressively investigated by law enforcement. A conviction can result in years in prison, substantial fines, loss of driving privileges, and a permanent felony record.

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for vehicular assault or vehicular homicide, you should contact an experienced Seattle criminal defense attorney immediately. Early legal representation can be critical to protecting your rights and preparing an effective defense.

At Black & Askerov, our attorneys have more than 30 years of combined experience defending clients charged with serious felony offenses throughout Washington. We understand the complex legal, scientific, and technical issues involved in collision cases and work tirelessly to pursue the best possible outcome for every client.

VEHICULAR ASSAULT UNDER WASHINGTON LAW

A person commits the crime of vehicular assault if he “substantially injures” someone by means of either:

Reckless driving, or
Driving under the influence (DUI).

Let’s define a few terms for better understanding:

“Reckless driving” means that a driver operates his vehicle with disregard for the safety of others.
A “substantial injury” (also known as “substantial bodily harm”) is a temporary but substantial disfigurement or impairment of any body part. It also includes the fracture of any body part.

In addition, “driving under the influence” means that a motorist:

Is impaired by drugs or alcohol to the point that his ability to drive a car is lessened in any appreciable degree,
Has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher, or
Has a concentration of five nanograms or more of THC per milliliter of blood.

A conviction of vehicular assault is a Class B felony in Washington. The crime is punishable by:

Up to 10 years in prison, and/or
A maximum fine of $20,000.

REACH OUT

VEHICLE HOMICIDE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW

Vehicular homicide is similar to vehicular assault. The main difference is that where an assault charge involves substantially injuring a victim, a homicide charge involves causing the death to the victim.

A prosecutor must prove the following in order to successfully convict a driver of vehicular homicide:

The defendant driver caused the death of another person, and
He did so by either driving recklessly or by driving under the influence.

Vehicular homicide is a class A felony under Washington law. The offense is punishable by:

Up to life in prison, and/or
A maximum fine of $50,000.

LEGAL DEFENSES TO VEHICULAR ASSAULT/HOMICIDE CHARGES

Luckily, a person accused of either of these crimes can raise a legal defense to challenge the accusation. A good defense can work to reduce or even dismiss a charge. While the facts of a case https://www.blacklawseattle.com/common-legal-defenses-to-washington-crimes/will determine the best legal defense, some common defenses to these crimes are:

The defendant was falsely accused,
The prosecutor cannot prove every element of the crime charged, and
The defendant was arrested after an unlawful search or seizure.

Please note, though, that it will take a skilled and talented criminal defense attorney to raise the most successful defense on your behalf. The attorneys at Black Law have the knowledge and experience that makes all the difference. They know the law regarding vehicular assault and homicide, and they fight for all their clients with zest and passion. The two offenses described above demand the help of a criminal lawyer. Contact our office today and get the real help that you deserve.

Why Early Representation Is Critical

If you believe you are under investigation, do not assume you have to speak with investigators before consulting an attorney.

Investigators may ask you to provide a statement or participate in additional testing. Anything you say can later be used against you in court.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can:

Protect your constitutional rights,
Communicate with investigators on your behalf,
Preserve favorable evidence,
Consult with accident reconstruction experts,
Review toxicology evidence,
Challenge unlawful searches and seizures,
Negotiate with prosecutors when appropriate, and
Prepare your case for trial if necessary.

The sooner an attorney becomes involved, the more opportunities there may be to protect your interests.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

We serve clients throughout Washington including those in the following localities:

King County including Bellevue, Kent, and Seattle
Benton County including Kennewick
Chelan County including Wenatchee
Clallam County including Port Angeles
Grays Harbor County including Aberdeen
Kitsap County including Port Orchard
Kittitas County including Ellensburg
Pierce County including Tacoma
Skagit County including Mount Vernon
Snohomish County including Everett
Spokane County including Spokane
Thurston County including Olympia
Whatcom County including Bellingham
Yakima County including Yakima