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Vehicular Homicide Prosecution - California PC 192(c)

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Vehicular Homicide California Penal Code 192(c) PC - Prosecution

Were You Involved in a Fatal Car Accident in California?

If you have been charged with vehicular homicide or manslaughter in California after being involved in a fatal car accident, it is important to understand what this crime entails. Our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich want to share with you what the prosecution needs to prove in order to convict you of this offense.

Vehicular Homicide Under the California Penal Code

Texting and driving vehicular homicide

If you are texting and driving and are involved in an auto accident, you could be charged for vehicular homicide.

Under California Penal Code 192 (c)(2), vehicular manslaughter is defined as driving a vehicle with ordinary negligence that results in the unlawful killing of a human being. In order to convict you of this offense, the prosecution must prove the following:

While driving a vehicle, you committed a misdemeanor, infraction or otherwise lawful act in an unlawful manner AND
The misdemeanor, infraction or otherwise lawful act was dangerous to human life under the circumstances of its commission AND
You committed the misdemeanor, infraction or otherwise lawful act with ordinary negligence AND
The misdemeanor, infraction or otherwise lawful act caused the death of another person

Misdemeanor, Infraction or Otherwise Lawful Act

In order to convict you of vehicular homicide under California Penal Code 192(c)(2), the prosecution must prove that you committed a misdemeanor, infraction or otherwise lawful act. The misdemeanor or infraction required for this crime can constitute any number of offenses listed in the California Penal Code and Vehicle Code, such as speeding or talking on your cell phone without the use of a hands free device. If the act itself is completely legal, you can still be convicted of voluntary homicide if the commission of the act was dangerous to human life under the circumstances.

Ordinary Negligence

Ordinary negligence is the failure to use reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm to yourself or another. You act negligently if you do something that an ordinary reasonable person would not have done or if you fail to do something that an ordinary reasonable person would have done in the circumstances you faced. Whether your actions were reasonable is a determination made by the jury.

Causation of Fatal Car Accident

The prosecution will try to prove that caused the fatal car accident; therefore, causing the death of the victim. Call us today to receive our immediate assistance.

The prosecution will try to prove that your unlawful act caused the accident that lead to the other person's death.

An act causes death if it is the direct, natural, and probable consequence of the act and the death would not have happened without the act. Although there may be more than one cause of death, if your act is a substantial factor in causing the death of another, this element is met and you could be convicted of vehicular manslaughter. For example: You are driving to work and in order to avoid being late, you cross a double yellow line and enter into the carpool lane. When making this illegal lane change, you fail to notice a van driving in the same lane and you abruptly cut her off. In order to avoid colliding with your vehicle, the driver of the can slams on his or her brakes causing the vehicle to spin out of control and crash into the highway divider. The driver dies on impact. Although your vehicle never made direct contact with the can, your illegal act of entering the carpool lane was likely a substantial factor in causing the driver’s death.

Contact an Attorney at Wallin & Klarich if you have been Charged with Vehicular Homicide in California

If you or someone you know has been charged with vehicular homicide in California, you need to contact an experienced defense attorney who is dedicated to giving you the best representation possible. With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Victorville and West Covina, Wallin & Klarich has successfully represented clients facing charges of vehicular manslaughter for over 40 years. Drawing from extensive experience, our talented defense lawyers will thoroughly review your case and develop an effective defense strategy to win your case. Let us show you how we protect our own. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or fill out our confidential form. We will be there when you call.

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our locations

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irvine

18022 Cowan # 285, Irvine, CA 92614

(949) 776-3424
(888) 749-0034

San Bernardino

225 W Hospitality Ln Suite 319, San Bernardino, CA 92408

(909) 383-1867
(888) 749-0034

Riverside

7177 Brockton Avenue Suite 339 Riverside, CA 92506

(951) 684-3340
(888) 749-0034

Victorville

15437 Anacapa Rd Unit 12, Victorville, CA 92392

(760) 245-3045
(888) 749-0034

Torrance

21151 S Western Ave #233, Torrance, CA 90501

(310) 527-5500
(888) 749-0034

Anaheim

1161 Raymond Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801

(714) 710-7917
(888) 749-0034

tustin

17592 Irvine Blvd, Tustin, CA 92780

(714) 730-5300
(888) 749-0034

san diego

444 W C St, #410, San Diego, CA 92101

barstow

400 S. 2nd Ave, Suite 206, Barstow, CA 92311

west covina

1619 West Garvey Ave N, #107, West Covina, CA 91790

long beach

5199 Pacific Coast Highway # 604, Long Beach, CA 90804

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