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Being charged with vehicular manslaughter in Michigan is a life-changing event. Whether the incident resulted from a traffic accident, reckless driving, or an unforeseen circumstance, facing these charges can feel overwhelming. A conviction can lead to severe penalties, including jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record.

If you or a loved one has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, our East Lansing criminal defense lawyer at Ben Hall Law wants you to understand your legal options and how taking immediate action can make a significant difference in your case.

drinking while driving

Understanding Vehicular Manslaughter in Michigan

Michigan law does not use the specific term “vehicular manslaughter,” but related charges fall under involuntary manslaughter or reckless/negligent driving resulting in death.

Depending on the circumstances, the prosecution may charge the case as:

  • Moving Violation Causing Death – A misdemeanor charge for causing death while violating traffic laws—like speeding or running a red light. Punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.
  • Reckless Driving Causing Death – A felony charge for driving recklessly in a way that results in a fatality. Punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
  • Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Causing Death – A felony charge for causing a fatal accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.
  • Involuntary Manslaughter – A felony charge for unintentionally causing someone’s death through gross negligence. Punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Steps to Take If You Are Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter in Michigan

Being charged with vehicular manslaughter in Michigan is a serious matter that requires immediate action. Whether the incident was the result of an accident, reckless driving, or unforeseen circumstances, the legal consequences can be severe.

Taking the proper steps from the beginning can make all the difference in your case, including:

  • Do Not Speak to Law Enforcement Without an Attorney

After an accident, police and prosecutors will immediately investigate to determine fault. While you may want to explain your side of the story, anything you say can be used against you in court. You must exercise your right to remain silent and contact a Michigan criminal defense attorney before making any statements.

  • Gather and Preserve Evidence

Gather any evidence related to the accident, such as dashcam footage, photos of the accident scene, and witness contact information. Your driving record and medical history may also help establish essential details about the incident. Our attorney will also work to obtain critical evidence, including police reports, accident reconstructions, and toxicology results, to build a strong defense on your behalf.

  • Understand the Charges Against You

Vehicular manslaughter charges can be complex, and the prosecution must prove negligence or reckless behavior beyond a reasonable doubt. Your attorney will help you understand your case’s specific charges, potential penalties, and defense strategies.

  • Explore Possible Defenses

Common defenses to vehicular manslaughter charges include:

  • Lack of negligence – If you obeyed traffic laws and acted reasonably, the charges may not hold up.
  • Mechanical failure – You may not be at fault if a vehicle defect or failure caused the accident.
  • Medical emergency – This could be a valid defense if an unforeseen health issue causes you to lose control.
  • Unavoidable accident – If external conditions (weather or road hazards) contributed to the accident, liability may be reduced.

Contact Our Defense Attorney Now

Vehicular manslaughter is a serious offense, and having a skilled defense attorney is essential. At Ben Hall Law, we have extensive experience defending clients against felony and misdemeanor charges, ensuring their rights are protected at every stage of the legal process.

Call 877-BEN-HALL (517-798-5801) or contact us online for a confidential consultation. Let us help you understand your rights and provide the aggressive defense you deserve.

 

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“Mr. Hall was a huge help. Being a former police officer and a former prosecutor was evident in his knowledge of both traffic and criminal laws. Even when I was willing to accept an initial plea deal, he knew that there was so little evidence against me that we should counter the offer. I went from a potential criminal case to a fine and 0 points. I could not be happier with my outcome. Thank you Mr. Hall!”

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“I had an excellent experience with this law office. Ben Hall was able to handle my situation promptly and thoroughly, I was thankful we were able to avoided the hassle of going to court. I was looking for housing and if that isn’t an overwhelming task in itself, once I found a place that had vacancies they did not want to allow my support dog and the lady responsible for processing my application began sending me in circles and improperly handled the application process. It was to the point I didn’t think I was going to get housing when I contacted Ben Hall. He dove right in and explained to me the process and options and he guided me how to proceed and also contacted the housing development and let them know what their options were and how this was going to go if they continued to unjustly process my application… I received housing promptly with no further issues! So thankful for this option to pay such a minimal fee to have a lawyer in your corner and build a relationship with them. In a world were nothing is for sure it is a comfort to have such ease of access with this law office.”

Melinda

“Ben was very generous with his time and expertise. He asked straightforward questions and offered excellent options to meet our objectives. Amazing turn around on short deadlines. We needed a legal opinion dealing with a conflict of interest on a local school board. WOW! Ben really understood the issues andbour concerns. He produced an amazing 8 page opinion in in a weeks time. And he worked with us on minimizing legal fees.”

Dave

“Mr. Hall was a huge help. Being a former police officer and a former prosecutor was evident in his knowledge of both traffic and criminal laws. Even when I was willing to accept an initial plea deal, he knew that there was so little evidence against me that we should counter the offer. I went from a potential criminal case to a fine and 0 points. I could not be happier with my outcome. Thank you Mr. Hall!”

Anonymous

Ben was very generous with his time and expertise. He asked straightforward questions and offered excellent options to meet our objectives. Amazing turn around on short deadlines. We needed a legal opinion dealing with a conflict of interest on a local school board. WOW! Ben really understood the issues andbour concerns. He produced an amazing 8 page opinion in in a weeks time. And he worked with us on minimizing legal fees.

Dave

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