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Understanding Manslaughter Charges Campbell Whitten is here to help you fight any battle!

Manslaughter Charges in Bakersfield

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In the state of California, it is against the law to take the life of another person or cause their life to be lost by your actions. However, the circumstances of how you caused this loss of life to occur determines the type of charges you face. While “murder” is reserved for the most heinous instances, you could face charges of “manslaughter” should your actions most closely resemble one of these violent crimes.

California recognizes three types of manslaughter:

  • Voluntary manslaughter
  • Involuntary manslaughter
  • Vehicular manslaughter

While these crimes generally carry less severe penalties than murder charges, they are still heavily prosecuted and could impact you for the rest of your life. At Campbell Whitten, we are not afraid to stand up and defend those who are facing charges of any violent crime, and we are fully prepared to fight for justice on your behalf. We never treat your case as though it were just a number, because we know that to you, your case could impact the rest of your life. Our long record of success has been earned across thousands of successfully-handled cases, and our award-winning attorneys are ready to battle for your best interests, no matter how serious your case may be.

If you’re facing manslaughter charges, call Campbell Whitten now at (661) 334-3000 to review your legal options and start fighting back today!

Voluntary Manslaughter

Sometimes a killing is intentional but not necessarily done by a person who is completely in control or thought the consequences of their actions all the way through. When this is the case, the defense will likely go to the court and ask to receive the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. In order to receive this charge, the defense must show that the killing occurred as a result of a sudden quarrel or in a heat of passion, usually leading to a loss of control from sheer emotional rage. This is often the preferable charge to murder because you can be sentenced to as little as three years in prison and even be eligible for probation.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter is generally considered to be the lowest or least severe type of homicide. This charge occurs when your actions accidentally result in someone’s death, but any reasonable person should have known that the actions you were taking could have resulted in their death. This can also be charged if you accidentally kill someone while committing a non-felony crime. However, this is still a serious crime and you could be imprisoned for up to four years if you are convicted.

Vehicular Manslaughter

Vehicular manslaughter is charged when you cause an auto accident that results in the death of another person while you are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In order to be convicted of this type of manslaughter, the prosecution must prove your actions were reckless or in violation of a traffic law. This can include things such as speeding, texting while driving, or running a red light. This is considered a “wobbler” crime, meaning it could be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony conviction could land you up to 10 years in state prison.

Don’t hesitate to contact Campbell Whitten online now and review your legal options when facing a manslaughter charge in Bakersfield!