Criminal Defense Lawyers

VEHICLE MANSLAUGHTER IN ARIZONA AND DUIS: LAW AND PENALTIES

Driving under the influence creates the prerequisites for a major accident to occur. Unfortunately, people can lose their lives in such crashes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2,912 people were killed in Arizona DUI crashes from 2003 to 2012. In 2016, DUI crashes represented four percent of all fatal collisions, the Arizona Department of Transportation reported. If you commit vehicle manslaughter in Arizona while driving under the influence, you will face serious penalties. Arizona is one of the states that have the harshest sanctions for DUIs. When a person dies on the road in such circumstances, general manslaughter laws may be applied.

Arizona Regulations

Vehicular manslaughter and its consequences are defined in Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1103. According to this section, vehicle manslaughter in Arizona refers to recklessly causing the death of another person through the use of a vehicle. It can occur whenever two vehicles crash or if a car is in an accident with a bicyclist, motorcyclist or a pedestrian.

When a person who commits a DUI is found guilty of this charge, they face a prison sentence in the range from seven to 21 years.

For a manslaughter charge to stand, however, the prosecution will have to prove that an individual has knowingly committed a deadly crime. A lot of work will go into the process, which is why these cases typically unfold over a long period of time.

Other Possible Convictions

Vehicular manslaughter isn’t the only charge to worry about in the case of a DUI accident that causes the death of a person on the road. Depending on the specifics of the case, the prosecution may pursue two other convictions – negligent homicide and second-degree murder.

Negligent homicide refers to committing an act of criminal negligence that has contributed to the death of the victim. Both carelessness and willful neglect could contribute to such a sentence.

Second-degree murder is the harshest sentence of them all. This is a Class 1 felony that occurs whenever a person knowingly commits an act that will lead to the death of another person. Second-degree murder charges in DUI accidents are not common because the prosecution will have to prove intentional actions. This charge is typically associated to extreme and super extreme DUIs.

Possible Defense Scenarios

Causing the death of someone while drunk driving will have both emotional and legal consequences. This is the worst possible crime you can commit while intoxicated. It’s imperative to consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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A lawyer that specializes in the field of DUI defense will examine the case, the circumstances that led to the fatal collision and the possible defense scenarios. Even if dropping the charges is not possible, a reputable lawyer may be capable of reducing the sentence.

Proving that the accident occurred because of the other person’s actions is one possible line of defense. For this to happen, however, an attorney will need to reconstruct the events that led to the collision accurately. Alternatively, a lawyer may attempt to prove that the collision between the two vehicles did not cause the death of a person.

A lawyer will also work on showing that the defendant’s actions do not meet Arizona’s criteria for reckless behavior. This way, the eventual sentence could be reduced.

Finally, the lawyer can challenge the results of a blood alcohol content (BAC) test or a field sobriety test. Procedural errors could also be addressed to strengthen the defense.

If you are charged with driving under the influence and killing another person, you will have to face the life-altering consequences of this occurrence. In Arizona, this is a criminal offence that comes with a felony conviction. You face years in prison if found guilty, which is why you have to look for the best DUI defense attorney to represent you.