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Vehicular Homicide DUI Top Rated Attorney With 25+ Years of Defense Experience

Vehicular Homicide DUI Attorney in Athens

You Need Quality Defense Counsel

Driving under the influence in Athens can have tragic consequences if an intoxicated driver causes an accident. In Georgia, homicide by vehicle is the unlawful killing of an individual by vehicle, and is often accompanied by DUI charges. Vehicular homicide is a very serious charge, but there are defenses possible. Athens DUI Defense lawyer J. Lee Webb has extensive experience in these types of cases, and can help you put together your best possible case.

Find out more about your situation by calling (706) 705-5122 and scheduling a no-commitment free case evaluation.

Homicide by Vehicle

To prove that a driver has committed homicide by vehicle, the prosecution must show that:

  • There was a DUI or major traffic violation; and
  • The violation was the proximate cause of a person’s death.

A DUI may be proven by a breathalyzer test or blood test, or by showing that the driver’s operation of the vehicle was made less safe because of the use of alcohol or drugs. Other serious traffic violations that can lead to a felony vehicular homicide charge are:

Proximate cause means that the driver’s actions were the cause of the death and that, but for the violation, the person would still be alive. For instance, if an intoxicated driver ran into another car, stopped at a red light, which skidded and hit a pedestrian crossing the street, proximate cause would exist. But if an intoxicated driver ran into an electrical pole, causing a passerby who was carrying a gun to discharge the gun in fright, killing another person, there would be no proximate cause.

Vehicular homicide does not require that the driver have malice aforethought or intend harm to anyone. Rather, the recklessness of driving while intoxicated is sufficient to sustain a conviction.

Penalties

In Georgia, homicide by vehicle is punishable by three to fifteen years’ imprisonment. Further, a convicted driver’s license will be suspended for three years, and no work permit will be available.

Feticide by Vehicle

A driver commits feticide by vehicle if he or she causes the death of an unborn child by injuring the expectant mother, and if the mother had been killed, it would have been vehicular homicide. Like vehicular homicide, vehicular feticide is punishable by three to fifteen years’ imprisonment.

Misdemeanor Vehicular Homicide

A driver commits misdemeanor vehicular homicide if he or she causes another’s death by the violation of a basic traffic law, such as speeding, following too closely, or failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. The penalty for the misdemeanor charge is up to one year’s imprisonment. An experienced lawyer may be able to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce felony vehicular homicide charges to a misdemeanor.

Contributory Negligence

If the accident victim’s carelessness was a contributing factor in the accident, the driver may have a defense to a vehicular homicide charge. For example, if the other person darted into the roadway in front of the oncoming driver, or if the other person was also driving, and ran a stop sign, these actions may constitute contributory negligence, and may serve as a defense.

Vehicular homicide charges are very serious, so experienced representation is crucial. Contact Athens DUI defense Attorney J. Lee Webb for a free consultation at (706) 705-5122.

Why Choose Our Firm?

Put a Devoted Attorney On Your Side
  • We understand both the procedure of drug & alcohol tests, and the science behind them

  • Attorney Webb has earned numerous awards for his standard of excellence.
  • Clients receive Attorney Webb's personal cell phone & email address.
  • We have over 25 years of legal experience.

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Hear From Other Clients We've Helped
    "He is knowledgeable and very professional."
    I scheduled a consultation with Mr. Webb and within 5 minutes of the consult and giving my statement to my case I felt comfortable and confident.
    - Criminal Defense Client
    "Very knowledgeable and tough attorney - got my DUI charge totally dismissed."
    Lee did an amazing job on my case. He asked me to walk through all of the details of what had happened and then studied the police reports in great detail. Once we went to court it was clear from the beginning that the judges and prosecutors really respect
    - Kevin W. / DUI Client
    "Was forthright and honest -- did an outstanding job of guiding me through the process"
    This was a first-time DUI (0.08), first-ever offense of any sort. I was referred to Lee by a lawyer friend. Lee and Alisa (his assistant) did an outstanding job of guiding me through the process from first contact all the way through trial (that never occu
    - DUI Client