(810) 374-0240Flint DUI Causing Death Attorneys
Aggressively Defending Clients Who Face Serious Charges
Felony DUI charges may lead to life-altering penalties, especially when they’re initiated after a fatal car accident caused by an impaired driver. If you’ve been accused of this criminal offense in Flint, Michigan, you should talk to a skilled attorney who has successfully handled DUI Causing Death charges for clients throughout Genesee County.
At Manley & Manley, our DUI lawyers have won countless drunk driving cases for clients facing felony charges in Michigan courts. We understand how overwhelming the legal process feels when there’s so much at stake, so we’re proud to offer personal attention and prompt answers to any questions throughout your felony DUI case. Call our Flint law office today to learn how we can fight your DUI Causing Death charges for you.
How Does Michigan Law Define This DUI Charge?
It’s important to understand your criminal charges as you and your Flint DUI causing death defense attorney prepare to fight them in court. According to Michigan law, it’s a criminal offense to operate a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. This means if your blood alcohol content was 0.08% or higher when pulled over by a police officer, you could get a DUI charge.
A first or second offense DUI is typically a misdemeanor in Michigan. However, it becomes a felony DUI in certain situations, such as if your impaired driving causes a car accident that leads to serious injury or death.
If this is the case for you, it’s essential to hire an experienced Michigan DUI lawyer with the legal knowledge to defend you from DUI Causing Death charges. Otherwise, you could face severe penalties, such as prison time and the loss of your driving privileges. Call our Flint law firm to seek legal counsel for your felony DUI case.
What Are the Penalties of DUI Causing Death Charges?
A DUI Causing Death is a felony, so you can expect more serious penalties than a typical misdemeanor DUI charge. If your case results in this type of DUI conviction, you’ll likely be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and fines between $2,500 and $10,000.
You will also get your driver’s license revoked, meaning you’ll lose your driving privileges for the foreseeable future. You may be able to apply for a restricted license or full driver’s license restoration after five years, depending on the circumstances.
Other penalties of DUI Causing Death charges in Flint include mandatory vehicle immobilization for 180 days, restitution to the victim’s family, community service, and alcohol treatment. Your Flint criminal defense attorney will let you know which penalties to expect based on your case. After all, certain aggravating factors can lead to stiffer penalties, including a longer prison sentence.
For example, if your blood alcohol content was 0.17% or higher, you might face up to 20 years in prison. You could get the same prison sentence if any of the following are true:
- You were transporting a minor while visibly impaired
- The victim of the car accident you allegedly caused was a police officer, emergency response provider, or firefighter
- You were driving without car insurance or a valid driver’s license
- You have previous DUI offenses on your criminal record
On the other hand, your penalties could be lower if you caused serious injury, not death. If the victim survived but was severely injured, you could be sentenced to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. You will likely also face driver’s license suspension and a mandatory ignition interlock device once you can drive again.
If you’re concerned about any of these severe penalties for DUI, Causing Injury or Death charges, you should talk to experienced DUI lawyers about your case. Call our Flint law office to learn more.
What Are Your Defense Options If You’re Fighting OWI Causing Death Charges in Michigan?
When you’re facing drunk driving charges, it’s essential to keep in mind that your arrest doesn’t have to lead to a DUI conviction. The prosecutor must prove certain elements beyond a reasonable doubt to achieve a conviction, and the goal of your criminal defense attorney is to prevent that outcome. An experienced attorney can anticipate and fight the allegations in court.
For example, to get a DUI conviction, the prosecution’s case must prove that your blood alcohol content was 0.08% or higher while operating a motor vehicle. To get a DUI Causing Death conviction, they must prove that your alleged drunk driving led to an accident that caused someone’s death.
Your Flint legal team can fight these allegations based on the evidence and their knowledge of Michigan’s DUI laws. Some examples of criminal defense angles that could lead to reduced charges or a not-guilty verdict include:
- The BAC test results were inaccurate, as the breath test could have been performed incorrectly, or the blood test samples could have been improperly stored
- The police officer lacked probable cause to make a traffic stop or arrest
- You did not cause the accident that resulted in serious injury or death
Depending on the evidence and your prior driving record, your legal team may be able to negotiate a plea bargain for a lesser charge. This could result in reduced penalties, such as alternative sentencing options and a suspended license for a year or two rather than five. Call our Flint, Michigan law firm today to discuss your legal rights.
Why Should You Hire Flint OWI Causing Death Defense Lawyers?
Felony DUI charges in Flint, Michigan can have serious consequences. If you’re concerned about being sentenced to severe penalties like driver’s license revocation, prison, and court costs, you owe it to yourself to seek legal representation immediately.
Hiring Manley & Manley to handle your case will ensure you have a team of caring, skilled DUI lawyers on your side. We have a proven track record of helping our clients get the best possible results for their criminal cases, and we’re eager to do the same for you. Call 810-374-0240 today to speak with our Flint legal team.